Author: sHq_LoGiNz
CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment and technology, and TIM, the leading company in agribusiness connectivity with 100% 4G coverage nationwide, will invest approximately R$77 million in the deployment of 97 new telecommunications towers in the state of Minas Gerais as part of the Alô Minas III Program. The initiative, promoted by the state government, aims to expand mobile network coverage in rural and low population density areas. With the implementation of the new towers, the expectation is to strengthen the region’s digital infrastructure, enable access to technology in the field, and contribute to the economic and social development of the communities served.
The initiative reinforces the strategic partnership between CNH and TIM in the development of connectivity solutions for agriculture, building on already well established experiences such as the Connected Farm Case IH project in Água Boa (MT). Over three harvest seasons, the project delivered significant gains in productivity, operational efficiency, cost reduction, and lower environmental impact through the use of connected technologies. In this context, connectivity acts as a key infrastructure catalyst for rural communities, bringing high quality internet access to local schools and healthcare facilities.
In the case of connected machines in the field, beyond cost reduction and productivity gains, they also generate data that goes far beyond indicating whether the machine is operating properly. Through the Case IH and New Holland monitoring centers, a specialized team provides support to dealerships and develops projects focused on increasing machine uptime in the field.
Expected to be implemented within 18 months, the 97 towers should connect about 1.5 million hectares in Minas Gerais, benefiting more than 200 thousand people living in rural areas without connectivity, including about 47 rural schools, 11 basic health units and approximately 11 thousand properties.
Read the full story here.
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2026 /3BL/ – The U.S. Soccer Foundation recognized leaders in social impact at the Congressional Soccer Match on June 3, presenting its four annual awards to organizations and individuals using soccer to create meaningful change. This year’s honorees include the LA Galaxy, Stand Together, Newark Public Schools, Think Together, Alex Morgan, and Tyler Adams.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation was founded more than three decades ago on a simple but powerful belief: that soccer can change lives,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “That belief continues to guide our work, and this year’s honorees exemplify it through their commitment to expanding access and uplifting young people in under-resourced communities. We’re proud to recognize their leadership and the lasting impact they’re making.”
The LA Galaxy was awarded the Kevin Payne Community Impact Award, presented to a professional team with a track record that exemplifies what it means to leverage soccer to engage youth and strengthen under-resourced communities.
Since 2015, the LA Galaxy have partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to create more safe places to play across the greater LA region, installing eight mini-pitches, including one recently in Pasadena after the devastation caused by the recent wildfires.
“We’re honored to be recognized by the U.S. Soccer Foundation with the Kevin Payne Community Impact Award,” said Tom Braun, President and Chief Operating Officer, LA Galaxy. “At the Galaxy, we believe in the power of soccer to bring communities together and create real opportunity for young people. Through our continued partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, we’re proud to help expand access to safe places to play and support youth across Los Angeles as they build confidence, develop life skills, and pursue their full potential.”
The 2026 awardees were honored during the 12th Congressional Soccer Match at Audi Field. For more information on the honorees, read the U.S. Soccer Foundation release here.
For more than 30 years, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has been the leading force focused on advancing soccer as a vehicle for social impact. In three decades, the Foundation has worked collaboratively with 1,000 national and local partners to positively impact youth in under-resourced communities – delivering proven programs that foster improved health and well-being at a time when kids need it most. Last year, the U.S. Soccer Foundation engaged 1.2 million youth in its programs proven to improve the health and well-being of participants. The Foundation has installed more than 900 mini-pitches nationwide, on track to create 1,000 by the end of 2026.
ABOUT THE U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION
As the national leader for sports-based youth development in under-resourced areas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation is on a mission to let soccer do what it does: change absolutely everything. Founded as a legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Foundation provides underserved communities access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
ABOUT THE LA GALAXY
The LA Galaxy are Major League Soccer’s most successful club. Based in Carson, Calif. at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a record six times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024), the MLS Supporters’ Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and one Concacaf Champions Cup (2000) since their inception in 1996. Under the direction of LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun and LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz, the Galaxy are the premier club in MLS, with stars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Javier Hernandez, Cobi Jones, Riqui Puig, and Marco Reus representing LA over the team’s 30 seasons in MLS. For more information on the LA Galaxy, visit www.lagalaxy.com.
NEW YORK, June 5, 2026 /3BL/ – Action Against Hunger will host Nourishing Hope: An Evening of Film, Conversation & Community on Thursday, June 11th, from 6:30-10:00 PM at the Angelika Film Center (18 W Houston St), bringing together two powerful short documentaries about children, families, and the fight against hunger. Free tickets are available to the media by contacting mrivoire@purposecollaborative.com.
The evening will screen The Boys and the Bees, Arielle Knight’s Sundance award-winning short documentary about a Black family in rural Georgia tenderly passing down wisdom, love, and a deep connection to the land to their two young sons. The program will also present the New York premiere of With Grace, directed by Dina Mwende and Julia Dahr – the story of a witty, unstoppable 13-year-old girl in Kenya whose family farm is tested year after year by drought and climate disaster. Director Arielle Knight will join attendees in person for a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Kori Chambers, founder of Kori Chambers Media and former news anchor. Director Dina Mwende will share a video message to mark the film’s New York premiere. The evening concludes with a reception featuring drinks and light bites.
“I’m honored that my documentary, The Boys and the Bees, is being screened in support of such an important cause. It’s especially meaningful to share a film that has connected with audiences — from its recognition at Sundance to its continued journey this year — in a space grounded in real-world impact. What drew me to Action Against Hunger is their commitment not only to responding to urgent needs, but to building long-term, sustainable solutions for communities around the world. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have this work in conversation with an organization creating lasting, tangible change — it reflects the intention I carried from the very beginning of making this film.” — Arielle Knight, Director, The Boys and the Bees
“I’m honoured that With Grace is making its New York premiere in support of Action Against Hunger and the important work they do alongside children, families, and communities around the world. As someone who comes from the same community as Grace, I was drawn to the warmth of her family and the ways they continue to find joy and connection in everyday life. I hope audiences see Grace in her fullness — not only through the challenges she faces, but as a child with dreams, curiosity, joy, and a future full of possibility. Because every child deserves the chance to grow up with dignity and the freedom to dream.” — Dina Mwende, Director, With Grace
“I’ve had the privilege of seeing Action Against Hunger’s work up close overseas, and it’s the kind of organization that really stays with you. Moderating this conversation feels like a natural extension of that. I think these two films are asking the right questions about what it takes to nourish a child, a family, and a community.” — Kori Chambers, Founder, Kori Chambers Media; Moderator
673 million people face hunger globally, and 2.3 billion people, 28% of the world’s population, are moderately or severely food insecure. In 2025 alone, 266 million people across 47 countries faced crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, double the number recorded a decade ago, and an estimated 35.5 million children under five were acutely malnourished. Action Against Hunger works in more than 50 countries to prevent, detect, and treat malnutrition and build lasting food security for communities around the world. Events like this Nourishing Hope bring critical awareness to his pressing issue.
“Hunger is not an abstract statistic — it is the story of real children, real families, and real communities whose potential the world cannot afford to lose. Events like Nourishing Hope remind us that ending hunger requires all of us: advocates, artists, and everyday people willing to be moved to action.” — Dr. Charles Owubah, CEO, Action Against Hunger
For more information visit: https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/global-impact/events/film-screening/
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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 26.5 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,500+ dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
Key Takeaways
- EHS and sustainability regulations continue to evolve rapidly across global markets, creating new compliance obligations for multinational organizations.
- Recent updates span occupational health and safety, environmental protection, climate disclosure, waste management, and industrial risk management.
- Countries and regions are increasingly developing localized regulatory frameworks rather than relying solely on international standards.
- Organizations operating globally face growing pressure to understand not only the regulations themselves, but also how they are interpreted and enforced locally.
- Emerging regulations are impacting sectors including technology, manufacturing, energy, logistics, infrastructure, oil and gas, and data centers.
- Companies that proactively monitor global regulatory developments and engage local expertise are better positioned to reduce compliance risk and maintain operational resilience.
Navigating Global EHS Compliance in 2026
For multinational organizations, managing environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) compliance is becoming increasingly complex. Regulatory change is accelerating across regions, while enforcement expectations continue to evolve alongside growing stakeholder scrutiny.
At the same time, many of today’s regulatory developments are highly localized. While broader global trends continue to shape EHS priorities, the specific requirements, implementation timelines, and enforcement approaches often differ significantly from country to country.
This creates a growing challenge for multinational companies attempting to maintain consistency across operations while also adapting to local legal frameworks.
Recent regulatory developments across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia highlight how governments are strengthening requirements related climate change, environmental permitting, emissions reduction, pollution prevention, public safety, occupational health, and industrial accountability. Several jurisdictions are also moving toward more integrated regulatory models that consolidate environmental governance, climate obligations, air quality management, and operational accountability into broader legal frameworks. These changes reinforce the importance of combining global visibility with local expertise to help organizations understand what regulatory changes mean in practice for their operations.
Key Global EHS Regulatory Trends Emerging in Q2 2026
Several themes are continuing to shape the global EHS regulatory landscape in 2026.
Climate and Sustainability Regulations Continue to Expand
Governments around the world are continuing to formalize climate-related obligations for businesses, particularly around greenhouse gas management, decarbonization, operational resilience, and environmental accountability.
Many organizations are now facing increasing pressure to align corporate sustainability goals with region-specific legal requirements while maintaining consistency across global operations.
Environmental Oversight, Emissions Management and Pollution Prevention Are Tightening
Environmental regulators continue to strengthen permitting requirements, pollution prevention expectations, environmental impact assessments, and waste management obligations.
This trend is especially visible in rapidly developing regions where industrial growth, infrastructure expansion, urbanization and decarbonization pressures are driving increased environmental scrutiny.
Regulators are also placing greater emphasis on integrated environmental governance approaches that connect emissions reduction targets, industrial permitting, operational controls, pollution prevention, and reporting obligations.
Occupational Health and Public Safety Expectations Are Increasing
Worker safety, operational resilience, contractor management, and public safety regulations remain a major focus globally.
Regulators are increasingly emphasizing proactive risk management, governance, emergency preparedness, and accountability across high-risk industries and operational environments.
Local Enforcement and Interpretation Continue to Matter
One of the most significant compliance challenges for multinational organizations is that regulatory enforcement and interpretation often vary significantly between jurisdictions.
Understanding how local authorities apply regulations in practice is becoming just as important as understanding the regulation itself.
Q2 2026 Global Regulatory Updates
China: Ecological and Environmental Code of the People’s Republic of China (Effective August 15, 2026)
China has adopted its landmark Ecological and Environmental Code of the People’s Republic of China — the country’s second formal code after the Civil Code —consolidating over 10 prior environmental statutes into a unified, 1,242-article legal framework. It establishes binding rules across pollution prevention, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development, with enhanced enforcement and legal liability mechanisms.
What this means for businesses: Companies operating in China must review and update environmental compliance systems, permits, and documentation to align with the Code’s stricter standards, including expanded carbon obligations, full-lifecycle product responsibility, and heightened penalties for non-compliance.
UAE: Federal Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 on the Reduction of Climate Change Effects
The UAE introduced a national framework focused on reducing the effects of climate change and managing greenhouse gas emissions across public and private sector entities.
What this means for businesses: Organizations operating in the UAE may face expanded obligations related to emissions management, climate mitigation planning, sustainability reporting, and operational accountability. Companies with regional operations should assess how local climate requirements align with broader corporate sustainability strategies.
Dubai, UAE: Law No. 2 of 2026 Regarding Public Safety in the Emirate of Dubai
Dubai issued updated public safety legislation establishing broader safety management obligations across commercial, industrial, and infrastructure-related activities.
What this means for businesses: Organizations may need to review emergency preparedness programs, contractor management processes, operational safety procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure alignment with updated public safety expectations.
Dubai, UAE: Administrative Decision No. 34 of 2026 on Waste Management Activities
Dubai introduced updated requirements governing waste management activities throughout the Emirate.
What this means for businesses: Companies involved in industrial operations, construction, logistics, infrastructure, and waste-generating activities may face additional operational controls, documentation requirements, and regulatory oversight related to waste handling and disposal.
Oman: Decision No. 1/2026 on Occupational Injuries and Diseases
Oman issued updated requirements related to occupational injuries and diseases through the country’s Social Protection Fund framework.
What this means for businesses: Organizations operating in Oman should review occupational health programs, incident reporting procedures, worker protection measures, and compensation-related processes to ensure compliance with evolving requirements.
Oman: Decision No. 16/2026 Issuing the Regulation for Reporting Oil and Chemical Pollution Incidents on Land
Oman’s Environment Authority issued Decision No. 16/2026 requiring timely reporting of oil and chemical pollution incidents on land. The regulation sets notification deadlines, reporting requirements, corrective action obligations, and penalties for noncompliance.
What this means for businesses: Oil facilities and other organizations handling oil or chemicals on land in Oman should review spill response procedures, internal escalation processes, incident notification protocols, and corrective action documentation to ensure they can meet reporting and compliance obligations.
Greece: Approval of the updated National Air Pollution Control Programme, regarding the reduction of national emissions of certain atmospheric pollutants
This decision approves Greece’s updated National Air Pollution Control Programme under the EU framework for reducing emissions of key atmospheric pollutants. It sets out revised national strategies and sectoral measures aimed at lowering emissions from industry, transport, energy production, agriculture, shipping, and other economic activities in line with Directive (EU) 2016/2284. It includes measures relating to cleaner energy use, emission monitoring, environmental permitting, industrial emissions management, fuel quality, agricultural practices, and broader decarbonisation and air-quality planning obligations. The programme also strengthens coordination between ministries and regulatory authorities responsible for environmental compliance and emissions reporting.
What this means for businesses: For businesses, the decision signals a gradual tightening of environmental and operational compliance requirements, particularly for companies in manufacturing, logistics, transport, energy, construction, shipping, agriculture, and other emissions-intensive sectors. Businesses may face stricter environmental permit conditions, increased monitoring and reporting obligations, higher expectations around pollution-control technologies, and stronger enforcement of air-quality standards. Companies pursuing public contracts, financing, ESG reporting, or EU-funded projects may also encounter greater scrutiny regarding emissions performance and sustainability practices. While the decision does not itself impose immediate new penalties on all businesses, it forms part of the regulatory framework that will shape future environmental inspections, permitting requirements, and climate-transition obligations in Greece.
Thanks to our local Associates in consolidating the latest regulatory updates for this edition – Anew Global Consulting China, Redlog Project Management UAE, and Paseco Greece.
Why Global-Local EHS Support Is Becoming Essential
As regulatory complexity grows, many multinational organizations are re-evaluating how they manage EHS compliance globally.
Traditional approaches that rely solely on centralized corporate oversight are becoming more difficult to sustain as local regulations evolve more rapidly and become increasingly nuanced.
Organizations are instead looking for approaches that combine:
- Global consistency and governance
- Local regulatory expertise
- Real-time regulatory intelligence
- Cross-border operational coordination
- Regional implementation support
- Practical risk management guidance
This is particularly important for organizations with operations across multiple jurisdictions where even small regulatory differences can create significant operational or legal risk.
Global visibility is important, but local understanding is often what determines whether compliance strategies succeed in practice.
Preparing for What’s Next in Global EHS Compliance
The pace of regulatory change shows no signs of slowing.
Organizations should expect continued evolution across several major areas in the coming years, including:
- Climate and decarbonization requirements
- Air quality and emissions reduction programs
- Chemical management and emerging contaminants
- Pollution incident reporting and environmental accountability
- Waste and circular economy regulations
- ESG-related disclosure obligations
- Occupational health and worker wellbeing
- Industrial safety and resilience planning
- Supply chain accountability and due diligence
- Environmental permitting and operational transparency
- Integrated environmental governance frameworks
As seen in recent developments such as China’s Ecological and Environmental Code and Greece’s updated National Air Pollution Control Programme, regulators are increasingly taking broader, systems-level approaches to environmental governance that combine climate strategy, air quality management, emissions reduction, industrial permitting, operational controls, and enforcement mechanisms.
These evolving frameworks suggest that businesses should expect environmental compliance requirements to become more interconnected across operational, sustainability, and governance functions rather than remaining isolated regulatory obligations.
For multinational companies, proactive monitoring and early planning will be critical to reducing business disruption, maintaining compliance, and adapting to increasingly interconnected regulatory expectations.
The organizations best positioned for success will be those that can combine strong corporate governance with practical, region-specific implementation strategies supported by local expertise.
Supporting Multinational EHS Compliance Through Local Expertise
Navigating today’s regulatory landscape requires more than simply tracking legal updates. Organizations need partners who understand how regulations are applied locally, how enforcement expectations vary across regions, and how global organizations can operationalize compliance effectively.
Through a global network of local experts, Inogen Alliance supports multinational clients with environmental, health, safety, and sustainability compliance across diverse regulatory environments worldwide.
From climate regulations and environmental permitting to occupational health, industrial safety, and emerging compliance risks, organizations increasingly need both global visibility and local insight to successfully manage EHS obligations in 2026 and beyond.
Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of over 70 of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates, listen to our podcast and follow us on LinkedIn.
Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of “flexible eating,” when routines loosen and cookouts, picnics, and spontaneous gatherings become more frequent. Shared summer meals can have a light, breezy feel for everyone, including the host. A key ingredient for this “easy-for-the-host” recipe is less cooking and serving during the event. It all comes together to create a summer soiree with more fun and less work.
DIY Setups
It may mean a bit more setup ahead of time. But a DIY approach means the host can enjoy conversation, lounging, and lawn games with their guests.
Grain Bowls
Your turn to host book club or a similar gathering? Limit effort and join the conversation with a grain bowl bar. It pairs perfectly with the mood of an event like this. A versatile grain bowl bar can be served warm or cold (or a mix of each), appeals to a variety of tastes, and can be mostly made ahead. For your grains, go with quinoa, rice, Israeli couscous, orzo, or maybe unique noodles like rice or soba. Offer proteins like cubed tofu, diced chicken, or ground turkey (seasoned and browned). Serve alongside an array of vegetables and other toppings like seeds, nuts, beans, shredded or crumbled cheese, or diced fruit. And finish with a blend of sauces, salsa, and other flavorful add-ons.
Protein Boards
We’ve all been there, stuck inside working, eager to enjoy a long summer evening with friends. No one wants extra work on a day like this. Enter a satisfying protein board, built with simple, satiating options. For balance, serve alongside a salad, colorful veggie plate, or chilled soup like unique Watermelon Gazpacho. (You may also enjoy light soups made from refreshing cucumber or summer tomatoes). Build your protein board with cubed marinated tofu, feta, roasted edamame, beans, rolled turkey breast, lean roast beef, “cracker cut” cheese, grilled chicken strips, hummus, bean dip, plain Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, or chilled shrimp. If you have time, add delicious grilled shrimp instead.
Topping Bars
You may still need to flip burgers, but an abundant toppings bar turns a simple burger into something more fun. Guests enjoy a burger the way they want it, and with less effort from you. Begin with unique burgers that fit different tastes and dietary preferences. Then go beyond the regular condiments with Guiding Stars-earning options like grilled vegetables, an assortment of greens, sprouts, sliced colorful tomatoes, cucumber, radish, guacamole, hummus, cucumber dip, and other unique and unexpected options like Grilled Peach Salsa. And don’t forget to add Guiding Stars-earning buns, pitas, and bread.
Summertime Hosting Tips
Summer is all about savoring long summer days without feeling overwhelmed or depleted. You’ve already got the perfect menu. Let’s explore some other ways to make it work well for you.
Today’s BBQ, Tomorrow’s Work Lunch
Combine a long Sunday afternoon with friends with an opportunity to ingredient prep for an organized week. No one will know that you intentionally put extra chicken and vegetables on the grill. But if you do, then you have the start to satisfying salads, sandwiches, and more for your week. Add cut veggies, cool sides, and sliced fruit to your menu, and you have the building blocks for versatile plates that support balanced eating.
Sustainable Setup
Doing a few steps ahead of time means more time with guests. Keep a basket of reusable, sustainable utensils and patio-friendly plates on hand to make outdoor meals effortless. If single-use utensils are preferred, try to use options made with materials that are better for the environment. And to reduce clean-up time, serve food in glass dishes that can serve as storage for leftovers too.
Easy Desserts
Summer desserts are easy to make and serve. A s’more setup, done ahead of time, brings the DIY vibe right through dessert, making it easy on the host. Or make little ice cream sandwiches the night before with small cookies or graham crackers. If you’re looking for a less decadent (very easy!) option, offer grilled summer peaches alongside vanilla Greek yogurt. Or prepare and serve a light, refreshing blueberry granita.
Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores, in Circana’ Attribute Marketplace, and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.
Image by Freepik.
Last week, CVS Health proudly celebrated the Groundbreaking of Blessed Sacrament in Jamaica Plain, MA, alongside our colleagues, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, local leaders, community organizations, and development partners. This milestone marked the start of construction on the long-vacant Blessed Sacrament Church, beginning its new chapter in the community. Blessed Sacrament will be home to 55 affordable homes for families earning 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80% of the Area Median Income, thoughtfully designed to preserve the beauty of this former church.
Developed by Pennrose and Hyde Square Task Force, the redevelopment will preserve the building’s historic façade while creating a multipurpose performance and community space. Once complete, the revitalized 71,000 square foot site, which has sat vacant since 2004, will serve as a cultural and community anchor for the Latin Quarter.
It was truly inspiring to celebrate this historic redevelopment with everyone. We are incredibly grateful to our colleagues who joined us and represented CVS Health and Aetna at the Groundbreaking.
CVS Health is proud to support developments like Blessed Sacrament, which reflect our commitment to strengthening communities and showcasing that housing is healthcare. Projects like this remind us of the lasting impact our work has in the neighborhoods where we live and serve. We cannot wait to celebrate together again at the Grand Opening in 2028!
Watch the ceremony program here.
Read about the Groundbreaking:
On 4 May 2026, the European Commission published its long-awaited review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) simplification measures, fulfilling a mandate under the December 2025 amendment. This report responds to extensive feedback from various sectors that have been raising concerns about the broader impact of EUDR on business operations.
According to the Commission, this review estimates an approximately 75% reduction in annual compliance costs from the cumulative simplification of measures introduced since 2023. To preserve legal certainty and maintain a stable regulatory framework, the Commission has determined that no further amendment to the basic legal text is warranted at this time.
The Commission’s report confirms there will be no further delays in implementation. Compliance deadlines remain 30 December 2026 for large and medium operators, and 30 June 2027 for most micro and small operators (MSPOs). (Those covered by the EU Timber Regulation [EUTR] must meet the December 2026 deadline. We offer a more in-depth explanation and comparison of EUDR and EUTR here.)
Accompanying the report, the Commission also released an updated Guidance Document for Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on Deforestation-Free Products and a fifth iteration of its implementation FAQs, both of which clarify how the amended rules apply in practice. Below, we walk you through some of the biggest changes to come from the EU’s latest report on EUDR.
The role of certifications and third-party verification schemes in risk assessment and risk mitigation
Section 10 of the updated Guidance Document is dedicated to contextualizing the role of certifications and third-party verification schemes, which may support compliance and risk assessment by corroborating that products are legal and deforestation-free.
The Commission recognizes that both certifications and third-party verified schemes “can play an important role in promoting sustainable agricultural and forestry practices and responsible sourcing, in fostering supply chain transparency and in facilitating compliance.”
According to Section 10 of the Guidance Document (“The Role of Certifications and Third-Party Verification Schemes in Risk Assessment and Risk Mitigation”), the Commission intends to establish “planned trade facilitation tools” that will enable trade and support compliance with EUDR. This includes developing a repository of certification schemes to “provide transparent information on the scope of existing schemes.”
Economic operators may refer to this repository when implementing their due diligence for and getting products into the EU market. The repository is expected to be available by December 2026.
The Commission acknowledges that, although these certification schemes can support risk assessment as outlined in Article 10 of the EUDR regulation, no individual certification scheme can replace the mandatory due diligence that EUDR calls for in Section 8 of the Guidance Document (entitled “Regular Maintenance of a Due Diligence System”).
Before deciding to become certified against any specific scheme, the Commission advises that operators first ensure the certification will be aligned with EUDR. An extensive vetting process is recommended, and the Commission outlines a number of considerations in Section 10 of the Guidance Document.
As we mentioned, December 2026 marks when this repository of relevant certification and third-party verification schemes will be available. In the meantime, the Commission encourages operators to consult three different documents: the Commission’s Impact Assessment; the EU best practice guidelines for voluntary certification schemes for agricultural products; and the findings of the Commission’s Study on Certification and Verification Schemes in the Forest Sector for Wood-based Products.
Re-imports: what the updated guidance and FAQ mean for non-EU operators
For operators outside the EU who handle products that were previously placed on the EU market, the updated FAQs (FAQ 5.4) provide a meaningful simplification. Re-importing such products is now explicitly classified as a downstream activity, meaning that the re-importer is not required to submit a new due diligence statement, provided they can demonstrate that the product was previously placed on the EU market.
Acceptable evidence includes customs declarations, invoices, bills of lading, CMR transport documents for road shipments, delivery notes, and any other reliable business records that relate to the product. Where no due diligence statement (DDS) reference number was received from a supplier, a conventional reference number is available for use in the customs declaration. Note that Competent Authorities are informed when a conventional reference number is used and may follow up accordingly. If prior EU market placement cannot be demonstrated, full due diligence obligations apply.
Additional changes: updated guidance & FAQs clarifications
The Version 5 FAQ from April 2026 also introduces several entirely new provisions that address scenarios not previously covered:
E-commerce and online sales (FAQ 3.17–3.19): EUDR applies to all commercial online sales, whether B2B or B2C, regardless of whether the seller is established in the EU. The FAQ clarifies how roles (upstream operator, downstream operator, trader) are assigned in online supply chains, including for marketplaces and fulfillment providers. EU consumers purchasing for personal use remain exempt, but the commercial actor supplying them is not.
Dual role: operator and downstream operator (FAQ 3.8): A single company can be both an upstream operator and a downstream operator for the same product in the same supply chain. This applies, for example, to a company that imports a relevant commodity and processes it before selling: It holds an operator role for the processed product and may simultaneously hold a downstream role for other products in the same chain.
Cooperatives and associations as authorized representatives (FAQ 3.20): Cooperatives, associations, and similar bodies may submit due diligence statements or simplified declarations on behalf of their members, acting as authorized representatives. This is particularly relevant for micro and small primary operators (MSPO) supply chains, where individual submissions would be impractical. The authorized representative must be established in the EU; legal responsibility for compliance remains with the individual operator.
Downstream operators and substantiated concerns (FAQ 3.6.2): New guidance clarifies what non-SME downstream operators must do when they become aware of a substantiated concern or information indicating non-compliance. The obligation is reactive; it does not require systematic monitoring, but once triggered, the non-SME downstream operator must verify that due diligence was exercised and must not continue to place the product on the market until satisfied that no or only negligible risk exists.
The most important document that organizations should be familiar with is the Guidance Document for Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on Deforestation-Free Products (Updated 4 May 2026).
For easy access to the most common questions, we recommend the Updated FAQs on EUDR Implementation (Version 5, April 2026).
What’s in and what’s out: the draft delegated act on product scope
The draft Delegated Act on Product Scope released in May 2026 proposes to update Annex I to edit the list of relevant products subject to EUDR and clarify how the regulation applies in specific cases and categories of products. Essentially, the proposed updated Annex I adds and removes commodities to ensure products fall within the proper scope of the regulation and without the risk of “relocating” the source of deforestation to unregulated segments of the supply chain.
Some of EUDR’s proposed additions to the list of in-scope products are palm oil derivatives, including soap made with palm oil, certain oleochemicals, and soluble coffee. Soluble coffee is an interesting case because, while roasted and green coffee beans have been included under EUDR, soluble coffee has not been previously included.
This former exclusion resulted in what the report identifies as “a fragmented and incoherent approach for the coffee sector” that, in past versions of EUDR, may have resulted in relevant products being “placed on or exported from the Union market without complying with the obligations of Regulation” (see the Draft Delegated Regulation). The proposed updated Annex 1 now includes soluble coffee to repair this fragmentation, subject to adoption.
This EUDR update also proposes product exclusions under the draft updated Annex 1. Broader and spanning multiple categories of EUDR commodities, the proposed exclusions include leather and cattle hides; retreaded tyres; waste, used, and second-hand products; product samples and items used for testing or analysis; items of correspondence; and certain packaging materials.
The draft Delegated Act’s proposed exclusion of leather and cattle hides has drawn organized feedback during the consultation period, which closed 1 June 2026, with campaigns both supporting and opposing the proposal.
Industry arguments in favor of exclusion cite scientific evidence of a weak causal link between leather production and deforestation, with leather cited as being a low-value byproduct of the food industry. Industry arguments also raise concerns about disproportionate compliance burdens and competitive disadvantage for EU tanneries relative to non-EU suppliers.
Opposing voices argue that leather’s inclusion is essential to preventing the relocation of deforestation risk within the cattle supply chain. The geographic distribution of responses, with Germany and France together accounting for nearly two-thirds of all feedback and Brazil (the world’s largest leather exporter) ranking fourth, suggests the leather question will be among the most contested elements of the final act.
If adopted, the proposed additions will bring new companies into scope, particularly in consumer goods and chemicals, which currently have no direct EUDR obligations. To follow the progress of act adoption, you can visit the commission’s Draft Delegation Regulation page.
Key Changes from the December 2025 amendments (Regulation (EU) 2025/2650)
The May 2026 package analyzes the impact of structural changes that were introduced when Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 was published on 23 December 2025. In the following sections, we offer a high-level overview of the biggest changes brought by this latest update.
NEW DOWNSTREAM OPERATOR CATEGORY
The amended regulation introduces a new category of “downstream operator”: entities placing products on the market that were manufactured using products already covered by a due diligence statement or simplified declaration. Downstream operators and traders that are not SMEs are no longer required to carry out full due diligence for every product they place on the market, sell, or export, although they must still register in the EUDR Information System. Only the first downstream operator in a chain is required to collect and retain DDS reference numbers.
MICRO AND SMALL PRIMARY OPERATORS (MSPOS) & SIMPLIFIED DECLARATIONS
A new subcategory of “micro and small primary operators” has been created. An operator qualifies as an MSPO if they are an individual or a micro/small business based in a low-risk country, and they place on the EU market, or export, products that they produce themselves. MSPOs may submit a one-time simplified declaration in the Information System rather than a full due diligence statement; they may also replace GPS geolocation coordinates with the postal address of the plots of land or the establishments from which the relevant commodities were produced, provided that the address corresponds to the actual production location.
PRINTED PRODUCTS REMOVED FROM SCOPE
Printed products have been removed from the scope of the EUDR. These include printed books, newspapers, images, and other products of the printing industry, manuscripts, typescripts, and plans on paper. This was enacted by Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 and is not subject to the ongoing Delegated Act consultation. Note that wood pulp and paper products under HS Chapters 47 and 48 (of the EUDR Annex) remain in scope where they contain virgin wood fiber.
FIVE-YEAR RECORD RETENTION FOR ALL OPERATORS
Regardless of size, all operators must collect and retain for five years data on the operators, downstream operators, or traders who have supplied them with relevant products, as well as details of downstream operators or traders to whom they have supplied relevant products.
INFORMATION SYSTEM UPDATES
The EUDR Information System, established under Article 33 of the Regulation, is the Commission-operated platform through which operators submit DDS and simplified declarations before placing relevant products on the EU market or exporting them. Launched in December 2024, the system also serves as a registry accessible to downstream supply chain actors and Competent Authorities for verification and enforcement purposes. The DDS reference number generated by the system must be included in customs declarations for products entering or leaving the EU, making the system a direct link between EUDR compliance and customs clearance.
The Commission temporarily closed the Information System to integrate changes required by the December 2025 amendment. A staged reopening is planned for June 2026 (both training and production environments), with additional functionalities to follow in summer 2026 ahead of the EUDR December 2026 implementation date. Key updates being introduced can be understood across six categories, which we discuss below.
Simplified declarations: The system will support submission of MSPOs’ one-off simplified declarations, including via API. This is significant because the simplified declaration workflow is entirely new. MSPOs were not previously accommodated in the system at all, and downstream actors receiving declaration identifiers from MSPOs will now be able to verify them in the same way they verify standard DDS reference numbers.
New operator roles: Registration categories for MSPOs and non-SME downstream operators/traders are being added. Under the December 2025 amendment, non-SME downstream operators are required to register in the system even though they no longer submit DDS. This update creates the technical infrastructure to accommodate that obligation.
Voluntary grouping: Operators will be able to voluntarily group DDS reference numbers, reducing administrative burden for those managing multiple upstream suppliers. This feature was specifically requested by industry and addresses a practical pain point for operators who receive large volumes of DDS reference numbers from different upstream sources and need to pass them downstream efficiently.
Validity checking: Users will be able to verify the validity of DDS reference numbers and declaration identifiers directly within the system, including via CSV file upload for bulk checking. This is particularly useful for the first downstream operator in a chain, who has a legal obligation to collect and retain valid reference numbers.
Geolocation support: Updated tools will be launched to assist Member State Competent Authorities in analyzing geolocation data submitted by operators. The update also reflects revised guidance on geolocation alternatives, including the postal address option now available to some MSPOs in lieu of GPS coordinates.
Contingency arrangements: Updated webservice specifications will mirror existing system functionalities and contingency procedures in the event of system unavailability. Given that DDS submission is a prerequisite for customs clearance, system downtime carries direct operational risk for operators. These arrangements are intended to ensure compliance obligations can continue to be met even during outages.
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