While this document isn’t legally binding, we hope it’s a handy resource for you and your suppliers.

At the end of last year, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was formally revised to include an exemption for printed products and a further one-year delay before implementation.

These changes aim to simplify its implementation and ensure that operators, traders, and authorities are adequately prepared. For organisations whose products are still under scope, the application of the regulation has been delayed to 30 December 2026 for large/medium operators and 30 June 2027 for micro/small operators.

Specific regulatory changes

On 17 December 2025, the Parliament formally adopted the political agreement. On 18 December, the Council confirmed they had formally endorsed the agreement. And on 23 December, the Regulation amending the EUDR went through its final stage by being published in the Official Journal of the EU:

“In Annex I, in the table, the line ‘ex 49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry, manuscripts, typescripts…’ is deleted”

Products that come under the EUDR’s scope are listed in its itinerary, which uses HS (Harmonized System) Codes: a standardised numerical method used internationally to classify traded products.

The amendment quoted above expressly removes all products under HS Code 49. In the European Database, Chapter 49 covers “printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, [and] typescripts”.

Under Chapter 49, HS Code 4902 covers “newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material”. Magazines are therefore exempt from EUDR.

Items that remain under EUDR’s scope have implications for suppliers

While products under HS Code 49 have been removed from EUDR’s scope, those under HS Code 48 remain, carrying implications for suppliers. In the European Database, Chapter 48 covers “paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard”. A full list of products that fall under this code can be found here.

Paper:

• Once publishers print on paper, it becomes a printed product, which is exempt from EUDR.
  
  
• Publishers exporting printed products, such as magazines, into the EU will not be required to have done due diligence or to show evidence of their suppliers’ due diligence.

Packaging products sold in bulk:

• From 2027, companies that sell packaging products will be required to evidence compliance with EUDR.
  
  
• Once packaging products are used to package a printed product, they will be exempt from EUDR.
  
  
• Publishers packaging printed products to ship into the EU will not be required to do due diligence or show evidence of their suppliers’ due diligence.

Looking forward

This exemption is an important recognition of the publishing sector’s existing high standard of sustainability and the lower deforestation risk associated with printed products.

The EUDR contains a review clause which leaves open the possibility that commodities can be added (or removed) in the future. It is therefore prudent for businesses, even those whose products are not currently in-scope of the Regulation, to continue to monitor relevant policy developments.

This means that an ongoing commitment to sustainable best practice and awareness of environmental impact will continue to be important for publishers.

Within the context of EUDR, this could include monitoring any potential deforestation risk associated with products purchased outside of EU territories; on top of existing compliance activities such as the FSC (Forrest Stewardship Council), PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), and other sustainability certifications.

As part of the revision, a mandatory simplification review has been scheduled for completion by 30 April 2026, which will focus on streamlining due diligence and improving IT system functionality. More details will follow its completion, but we do not currently foresee this introducing any new requirements for publishers.

As it stands, from 2027, publishers should not be required to engage in EUDR. The PPA will continue to monitor the landscape and will provide prompt updates of any further changes.

Contact charlotte.jeffreys@ppa.co.uk with any questions.