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Find out how to comply with the Regulation.

Can't find what you're looking for? We've collected all the frequently asked questions in this document.

  1. 29 June 2023
    Entry into force
  2. 30 December 2024
    Rules begin to apply for medium & large operators and traders
  3. 30 June 2025
    Rules begin to apply for micro and small enterprises

The Commission has published a Guidance Document. On 4 December 2024 a provisional political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission's proposal to grant a 12-month additional phasing-in period. Once adopted, this proposal would make the law applicable on 30 December 2025 for large and medium companies and 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises.

Deforestation

'Deforestation' is defined as the conversion of forest to agricultural use, whether human-induced or not, which includes situations caused by natural disasters. 

The assessment of whether the commodity has contributed to deforestation is conducted by looking backwards in time to see if the crop land was a 'Forest' at any time since the date specified in the Regulation (31 December 2020).

A forest that has experienced a fire and is then subsequently converted into agricultural land (after the cut-off date) would be considered deforestation under the Regulation.

In this specific case, an operator would be prohibited from sourcing commodities within the scope of the Regulation from that area (but not because of the forest fire).

Conversely, if the affected forest is allowed to regenerate, it would not be deemed deforestation, and an operator could source wood from that forest once it has regrown.

Forest degradation

'Forest degradation' means structural changes to forest cover, taking the form of the conversion of:

a) primary forests or naturally regenerating forests into plantation forests or into other wooded land; or

b) primary forests into planted forests;

Wood products coming from such converted land cannot be placed on the market or exported. Sustainable forest management systems can be employed and encouraged, provided they do not lead to a conversion that meets the degradation definition. 

Conversion for other uses, such as urban development or infrastructure, does not fall under the deforestation definition. For instance, wood from a forest area that has been legally harvested to build a road would be compliant with the Regulation.

Which products are covered?

Palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, cocoa, timber, rubber, and products derived from the listed commodities (such as beef, furniture, or chocolate)

See the full list of commodities in Annex I of the Regulation

  • Only products that are listed in Annex I and made of or containing a commodity listed in Annex I are subject to the Regulation.
  • Products not listed in Annex I are not subject to the Regulation, even if they contain commodities listed in Annex I. For example, soap will not be covered by the Regulation, even if it contains palm oil.
  • Products listed in Annex I that do not contain, or are not made of, a commodity listed in Annex I are not subject to the Regulation.

The list will be reviewed and updated regularly.

The Regulation applies to products listed in Annex I in the same way regardless of whether they are produced in the EU or imported from outside the EU.

More information about product codes and their use

Why are these products regulated?

Who does the EUDR apply to?

If a company places a relevant commodity or product on the market or exports them, it is considered an operator under the EUDR. An operator can be the company that harvests wood and then sells it, but an operator can also be the company that processes wood and then sells a relevant product (e.g. tables) and places this product for the first time on the market.

If a company makes a product available on the market in the course of a commercial activity without being an operator it is considered a trader under the EUDR.

Due diligence

As a general rule, operators (and traders which are not SMEs) must exercise due diligence with regard to all products in scope of the Regulation, from each of their suppliers. This means they must put in place a due diligence system. Operators sourcing commodities entirely from areas classified as low risk will be subject to simplified due diligence obligations

  • Collecting geolocation and documentation

    1. Collect information

    Collect information, documents and data showing that the product is deforestation-free and legal, such as geolocation coordinates, quantity, country of production, etc.

  • Gauge

    2. Risk assessment

    Assess whether there is a risk the product does not comply with the rules. Operators need to demonstrate how the information gathered was checked against the risk assessment criteria and how they determined the risk. 

  • Umbrella

    3. Risk mitigation

    Adopt adequate and proportionate risk mitigation procedures and measures if there is a risk that the product does not comply with the rules. Make sure that the risk becomes negligible.

Information System

Due diligence statements must be submitted electronically in the deforestation registry created by the European Commission. These statements will be checked in the registry and by Member States' authorities.

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