Bioeconomy Austria participated in an EUDR information event organised by IG Holzkraft with experts and industry representatives from the wood and bioenergy value chains. We would like to share the content presented and the discussions in a concise form with our network.
Timeline and legal classification
A key topic was the current timeline of the EU Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR). The start of application has been postponed: For large and medium-sized enterprises, the deadline is 30 December 2026; for small and micro-enterprises—depending on their role in the supply chain—partly from 30 June 2027. Austria and Germany have been classified as low-risk countries by the European Commission. This means simplified due diligence obligations apply, but there is no general exemption from the EUDR requirements.
Implementation from a corporate perspective
Using the example of a company, Florentin Morick (Brüning Group) reported on the practical preparation for the EUDR. A structured approach was presented—from analysing the company’s exposure to the regulation, through establishing a digital due diligence system, to integration with the EU information system TRACES-NT. The challenges in the areas of data availability, supplier communication and IT integration were particularly evident.
Simplification and open questions
Current simplifications for downstream market participants were also discussed, such as the possibility, under certain conditions, of providing the business address instead of precise geodata and estimating harvest volumes. These facilitation measures can reduce administrative effort but do not replace systematic data collection. For all assortments placed on the market, a quantity indication or estimate is still required.
Outlook
The event clearly underscored that the EUDR is not merely a formal compliance issue but affects structures, processes and responsibilities along the entire supply chain. Early engagement and exchange on practical implementation approaches remain crucial.
Bioeconomy Austria will continue to monitor relevant developments and inform its network about new findings.