EUDR: tensions over country rankings – European Parliament adopts symbolic motion of disapproval

Although not legally binding, this vote reveals growing political tensions surrounding the implementation of the EUDR.

The vote in figures

373 votes in favor of the motion to reject

289 against

26 abstentions

This vote marks a political challenge to the legitimacy of the text, led in particular by the EPP group and other right-wing groups.

What the motion said

Led by MEP Alexander Bernhuber (EPP, Austria), the motion:

- calls into question the methodology used by the Commission to classify countries according to their level of risk (low, standard, high) and calls for a risk-free category;

- deplored a lack of transparency, insufficient consultation with producer countries and data considered too outdated;

- called for the withdrawal of Implementing Regulation 2025/1093;

- called for a review of the system with regional differentiation, better weighted indicators, greater transparency and a clear and regular review procedure.

Legal scope

The Parliament cannot directly block an implementing act. This prerogative belongs to the Council. However, this motion exerts significant political pressure on the European Commission, which remains free to respond or not.

Implementing Regulation 2025/1093 therefore remains in full force. The classification by risk level remains valid. Companies must continue to refer to it when preparing their due diligence obligations.

The motion adopted calls on the President of the European Parliament to forward the resolution to:

the Council of the EU,
the European Commission,
and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

This puts additional political pressure on the Commission to take action.

Possible scenarios:

No change to the regulation: the Commission may not respond to the resolution and keep the text as it is until the planned review of the ranking of the country risk (Benchmarking) in 2026.
Early review of the regulation: although not mandatory, the Commission may decide to amend the regulation before 2026. In this case, the current version would remain in force until replaced by a new text.
Integration of the issue into a broader political process: the pressure exerted could lead to a broader debate in the context of a possible trilogue, a legislative simplification package (such as an “Omnibus” package) or a political initiative by the Council.

Growing political pressure

This sequence of events comes against a backdrop of growing opposition to the EUDR:

On July 7, a letter signed by 18 EU agriculture ministers (including Finland, Sweden, Austria, Poland, Italy, Romania) called for simplification of the regulation, exemptions for countries with negligible risk, and a postponement of its entry into force.
On July 8, 17 European federations representing sectors linked to raw materials covered by the EUDR (including wood, bioenergy, leather, meat) called for its inclusion in future legislative simplification packages.
Finally, 12 national timber federations (including France, Germany, Poland, Italy) wrote to the EPP president calling for its simplification or even repeal.

Recommendations for businesses

In an uncertain political context but with no regulatory changes at this stage, ATIBT advises its members to remain vigilant regarding developments in the text, particularly the upcoming positions of the European Commission and the Council, while actively continuing their preparations to comply with the EUDR.

To support companies in this process, the association Le Commerce du Bois (LCB) has produced a comprehensive, concise, and practical brochure designed to help everyone in the timber industry understand their obligations based on their role in the supply chain (upstream or downstream operator, trader, agent).

LCB will continue its support efforts in the coming months, drawing on its expertise, tools, and ongoing dialogue with French and European authorities. The EUDR procedure developed by LCB will be available at the end of July, and an online training webinar is scheduled for the end of September.

Consult and distribute the EUDR brochure (updated June 2025)