10.07.2026
EUDR: Pfeifer sets the course for efficient implementation
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) introduces new requirements for companies in the timber industry. Recent clarifications from the European Union, however, provide greater legal certainty and significantly reduce the effort involved in implementation. The Pfeifer Group has used the past few months to prepare its processes accordingly, and is putting the new requirements into practice pragmatically and efficiently.
Greater clarity on implementing the EUDR
With the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the European Union aims to ensure that timber and timber products enter the European market, or are exported from the EU, only if they can be shown to be deforestation-free and legally harvested.
While the regulation has already entered into force, its application has been postponed. For large and medium-sized companies, the requirements apply from 30 December 2026, and for small and micro enterprises from 30 June 2027. At the same time, the European Commission has clarified numerous open questions and specified responsibilities along the supply chain, making it considerably clearer today which obligations individual market participants actually need to fulfil.
Clear roles along the supply chain
One of the most significant changes concerns the different roles within the value chain. In future, the greatest responsibility will rest with the company that first places timber or timber products on the EU market – the so-called operator. Companies that subsequently process or resell products take on different tasks as a downstream operator or trader, and are not required to produce their own due diligence statement in every case.
The handling of the so-called EUDR reference numbers has also been clarified. For many companies, the focus today is no longer on passing these numbers on, but on documenting and archiving them in a traceable way.
Pfeifer relies on pragmatic solutions
For the Pfeifer Group, these clarifications bring a significant simplification. Originally, it was assumed that reference numbers would have to be passed on to all customers along the entire supply chain. Under the current interpretation, this is no longer necessary in many cases.
Instead, Pfeifer is focusing on clearly defining the respective role of each company within the Group and implementing the legal requirements precisely where they actually apply. This makes it possible to use existing processes and avoid unnecessary administrative effort.
Particular attention is being paid to the purchase of standing timber and export processes – especially at Pfeifer Nordics – as well as sawn timber sourced externally.
Extensive preparations already completed
The Pfeifer Group has spent the past few months preparing intensively for the introduction of the EUDR. All goods flows have been analysed, the roles of the individual companies and sites defined, and the necessary information for the European TRACES system prepared. At the same time, technical solutions have been developed to capture the required data and reference numbers automatically and document them over the long term.
This groundwork provides the basis for integrating the legal requirements into existing company processes on time and efficiently.
Compliant and future-proof
Over the coming months, Pfeifer will complete the final implementation steps and embed the defined processes across the Group. This includes the clear allocation of the respective roles within the supply chain, the legally compliant archiving of relevant evidence, and standardised procedures for handling customer and authority enquiries.
With this structured approach, the Pfeifer Group ensures that the EUDR requirements are met reliably – in a practical, transparent way, with a clear focus on efficient processes.
