Official EUDR timeline

The European Commission has confirmed that EUDR enforcement for large companies starts on 30 December 2026, and from 30 June 2027 for micro and SMEs. These deadlines were extended by one year, giving Romanian companies extra time to prepare.

What operators must do

Companies placing wood products on the EU market (lumber, furniture, paper, pallets) must demonstrate that:

  • Material comes from areas not deforested after 31 December 2020
  • It was harvested in accordance with the legislation of the country of origin
  • Each batch has geolocation coordinates for source plots
  • Data is submitted to the EU TRACES system before import or placement on market

How FSC and PEFC certification helps

Although FSC or PEFC certification does not replace the due diligence obligation under EUDR, it significantly simplifies the process. A certified chain of custody provides documented traceability, annual independent audit and legality evidence that can be reused in the EUDR file.

Recommended steps for Romanian companies

  1. Map your supply chain - identify all direct suppliers of wood material
  2. Collect geolocation coordinates - polygons or points for plots >4 ha
  3. Verify legality - APV, exploitation contract, ITRSV authorisations
  4. Implement a risk assessment system - documented and updated annually
  5. Connect data to TRACES - via API or the EU system web interface

Sustainability Today provides integrated consultancy for CoC certification and EUDR compliance, helping over 200 Romanian companies be ready before the official deadline.