European Commission publishes COM(2025) 258 proposal to postpone battery due diligence obligations to 18 Aug 2027 and delay Commission guidelines deadline to 26 Jul 2026

The European Commission published a legislative proposal (COM(2025) 258 final) to amend Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 by postponing the application date of the battery supply-chain due diligence obligations (Article 48(1)) from 18 August 2025 to 18 August 2027. The proposal also shifts the deadline for the Commission to publish due diligence guidelines (Article 48(5)) to 26 July 2026. If adopted, this would materially change compliance program timelines for in-scope economic operators and affect planning for third-party verification readiness and due diligence scheme development/recognition.