Learn how to comply with the obligations, affected parties and deadlines established by the EU.
What is the EUDR Regulation?
The EUDR Regulation is the newEuropean Union regulation designed to ensure that certain products marketed in the European market do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation. This legal framework requires companies to verify the origin of their raw materials and demonstrate that they come from areas free of deforestation. Its main objective is to promote more responsible, transparent, and sustainable supply chains, affecting sectors such as timber, cocoa, coffee, soy, rubber, oil palm, livestock, and associated derivatives.
What does the EUDR Regulation mean for your company?
For any company that produces, imports, distributes or markets products within the scope of the EUDR, this regulation requires the implementation of more stringent control systems . It requires demonstrating accurate geographic traceability, assessing risks in the supply chain and implementing mitigation measures where necessary. It also involves maintaining verifiable documentation, adapting operational processes and ensuring that suppliers comply with EU sustainability requirements . In short, the EUDR makes it mandatory to review and strengthen the management of the entire supply chain.
Parties bound by the EUDR Regulation
The EUDR affects all operators and traders who introduce or market products within its scope in the European Union. This includes importers, European producers, distributors, processors and companies that use regulated raw materials in their processes. Both large corporations and SMEs are obliged to comply with the regulation, although there are differences in the deadlines and requirements depending on the size of the company and the role it plays in the supply chain.
Main obligations of the EUDR Regulation
Companies must comply with several essential due diligence requirements. Among them are:
- Collect detailed information on the origin and geolocation of products.
- Assess risks of deforestation or illegality in the chain.
- Implement mitigation measures in case of detected risks.
- Prepare a declaration of conformity before placing products on the market.
In addition, they must ensure that documentation is available for audits and competent authorities, ensuring full traceability.
Relevant compliance dates
The EUDR Regulation formally came into force on June 29, 2023, but it establishes specific deadlines for mandatory compliance, which were amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 19, 2024. Large and medium-sized companies must comply with their obligations as of December 30, 2025, while micro and small companies have an extended deadline until June 30, 2026. As of those dates, any product falling within the scope of the EUDR must be accompanied by the due diligence and documentation required to be legally marketed within the EU.
