EU Deforestation Regulation postponed again: How to get your SAP transport and logistics processes ready for the end of 2026
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been the subject of debate for months. Now it's official: the mandatory application date has been postponed again. For companies, this does not mean the all-clear, but it does present a valuable opportunity to thoroughly prepare processes and IT systems now.
In this article, we show you what the EUDR requires, why it has been postponed, and what data companies will need to collect in the future. You will also learn how you can use this time to optimally align your SAP systems, logistics processes, and carrier connections.
What regulations does the EU Deforestation Regulation contain?
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 requires companies to prove that certain products are grown without deforestation. This affects raw materials such as:
- Wood
- Coffee
- Cocoa
- Beef
- Soy
- Palm oil
- Natural rubber
and numerous products derived from them.
Key requirements:
- Geolocation data for production areas
- Documentation of the supply chain
- Risk assessment and risk mitigation measures
- Due diligence declaration via the EU IT system
Why was the EUDR postponed?
Originally, the application was to become mandatory from December 30, 2025. Due to technical challenges, particularly in the provision of the EU IT system for due diligence declarations, the Commission, Parliament, and Council of the EU have decided to postpone it.
New timelines for the application of the EUDR:
December 30, 2026 for large and medium-sized enterprises
June 30, 2027 for small enterprises
This presents a great opportunity: companies gain time to prepare professionally and secure their ERP and logistics processes.
What data will companies have to collect in the future?
Although the EUDR entails extensive obligations, not every market player has to record everything. It is important to distinguish between:
- First placers
- Distributors and processors
Relevant data points:
- Geodata of the production area (coordinates)
- Production date (proof: no deforestation since December 31, 2020)
- Supply chain data, including all upstream suppliers
- Risk assessment based on country and risk classes
- Evidence of risk mitigation measures
- Submission of the due diligence declaration via the EU IT system
The level of detail required varies depending on the product, supply chain, and business model.
What does the EUDR mean for transport and logistics processes and carrier connections?
(e.g., DHL Express, UPS, other CEPs, and freight forwarders)
Transport service providers do not have to perform their own due diligence. However, they will be more involved, as shippers will have to provide additional data in the future, which must be correctly transferred to the transport service provider.
For shipment registration and carrier integration, this means:
- Transfer of EUDR product information in accordance with the transport service providers' interface specifications
- Transmission of a due diligence reference number (as soon as available)
- Classification of goods as EUDR-relevant
- Documentation of proofs of origin, if customers require these for compliance purposes
This means that EUDR information becomes part of operational logistics processes and must be technically integrated into carrier integration in a clean manner.
How to make the most of the time until 2026
Some transport service providers are already working on expanding their shipping systems and the corresponding interfaces for ordering shipments. Mercoline is already working with these service providers to enable the timely transfer of EUDR-relevant data in accordance with the transport service providers' specifications and to provide all customers with updates for M.SmartLogistics and Multi Carrier Sphere.
- However, in addition to the pure transfer of data to external systems, such as the backends of transport service providers, other organizational issues are also relevant.
- How is the relevant data, such as the due diligence statement and the relevant TARIC code, collected for transmission?
- How can pre-assignment be carried out for transfer to the shipping system for full automation?
- Which of my materials are affected and are they correctly priced?
Answering these questions and preparing in good time are important steps toward implementing the directive in 2026.
Why you should act now & how Mercoline supports you
The requirements of the EUDR are not going away – on the contrary.
Companies that start adapting their SAP data and processes now will benefit from:
- clear responsibilities
- clean data
- lower project costs when legal obligations come into force
- less risk in future audits
- A real competitive advantage over market participants who react late
How Mercoline supports you
Mercoline supports SAP user companies on their path to EUDR compliance, including by integrating EUDR information into the carrier connection and preparing for EUDR regulations in M.SmartLogistics and Multi Carrier Sphere.
Please contact us if you have any questions; we will be happy to assist you.
Official Information: Regulation on Deforestation-free products - Environment
Background Knowledge: EU Regulation on Deforestation-free products - Wikipedia