EUDR: EU Parliament calls for revision of country risk classification

The due diligence obligations of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) for market participants are largely based on the country of origin of the raw materials and products concerned or the associated risk class.

The EU Commission recently carried out a classification of countries into risk categories and issued it as a draft. This draft was rejected and criticised by a majority of the EU Parliament in a motion for a resolution.

The motion for a resolution criticises in particular the quality of the data and the methodology used to classify the risk classes. It also criticises the insufficient differentiation and suggests the introduction of a new risk category (‘negligible risk’). The EU Commission is called upon to withdraw the current risk classification and revise it.

The adoption of the motion for a resolution has no immediate consequences, as the classification of countries is carried out by means of an implementing act. Nevertheless, with the motion for a resolution, the EU Parliament expresses the view that the EU Commission has exceeded its implementing powers.

The EUDR applies to large and medium-sized entities and traders from 30 December 2025 and to small and micro entities from 30 June 2026. The DRSC provides information through a regularly updated briefing paper, among other things. The current version is dated 6 January 2025.