The EUDR – Towards Deforestation-Free Products

Our current lifestyles significantly contribute to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide. The import of products such as wood, cocoa, palm oil, and beef is one of the main drivers of deforestation. In response, the European Union has decided to act as of 2025 to limit environmental impacts and promote a more moderate and sustainable consumption of these products, which are currently responsible for biodiversity loss and the disappearance of forests.

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a European legislation aiming to prohibit, within EU territory, the placing on the market or export of any product linked to deforestation. It takes roots in the European Green Deal and the EU Forest Strategy, contributing to the achievement of European targets and to the EU’s international commitments to nature protection, including those made under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992).

Which Products Are Concerned?

The rules will apply to all companies, regardless of their size. They will need to submit Due Diligence Statements (DDS) demonstrating that their products as well as derived products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation. The following products are covered:

• Beef
• Palm oil
• Wood
• Soy
• Coffee
• Cocoa
• Rubber

Any operator or trader placing these products on the EU market or exporting them from the EU will need to comply with the regulation.

Key Dates to Remember:

• 29 June 2023: Entry into force of the regulation;
• 15 April 2025: Publication by the European Commission of simplification measures;
• 30 December 2025: Application of the EUDR for medium and large companies;
• 30 June 2026: Application of the EUDR for micro and small enterprises

Tools to Support Compliance

Despite the recent simplifications, becoming familiar with the platforms and tools made available is essential to ensure effective compliance:

1. The EUDR Information System, which digitally centralises due diligence statements from operators and traders, with precise geolocation data to enhance traceability.
2. The EU Forest Observatory on Deforestation and Forest Degradation, providing cartographic data and information on supply chains.
3. The Multi-Stakeholder Platform, gathering Member States, businesses, NGOs, and third countries to share work priorities and best practices.
4. An updated FAQ (version 4) and guidance (version 2), released in April 2025 to support operators and traders in implementing the EUDR.

What Are the Main Simplifications?

Among the recent simplifications introduced by the regulation:
 

• Companies will be allowed to submit their due diligence statement once a year, instead of for each shipment or batch placed on the EU market.
• Large companies may reuse existing statements in case of re-importation of goods that were previously placed on the EU market.
• An authorised representative may submit a due diligence statement on behalf of a group of companies.
• Large downstream companies are no longer required to conduct full due diligence but must collect the reference numbers of their suppliers’ statements and include them in their own.

What’s Next?

If your company is affected by the EUDR, feel free to contact our team to assess your obligations and begin your compliance process in a progressive and pragmatic manner.