EUDR Compliance Guide
EU Deforestation Regulation — practical guidance for importers, traders, and manufacturers affected by the regulation.
This guide is a work in progress. Section headers and structure are in place; detailed content will be added by the founder with research support. Do not publish without completing the TODO sections.
What EUDR is and who it applies to
Explain: what EUDR is (EU Regulation 2023/1115), when it was adopted, its objective (preventing deforestation-linked goods from entering the EU market), who is covered (operators placing goods on the EU market, traders), the distinction between operators and traders under the regulation, and what due diligence means in this context.
The seven covered commodities and derived products
List the seven covered commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, wood, and natural rubber. Then list the derived products for each (e.g., for wood: timber, charcoal, printed paper products, furniture with wood components; for cattle: beef, leather, etc.). Note which industries are most likely to be affected and link to relevant industry pages.
Due diligence statement requirements
Explain what a due diligence statement (DDS) is and what it must contain. Cover: the information required per shipment, how DDS are submitted (the EU TRACES NT system / new EUDR information system), the distinction between the DDS at placement on market vs. export, and what the due diligence process involves (information collection, risk assessment, mitigation). Note the role of suppliers in providing evidence.
Geolocation data collection
Explain what geolocation data is required under EUDR (polygon or GPS coordinates of plots of land where commodities were produced), the challenges of collecting this data from upstream suppliers, the difference between country-level origin and plot-level geolocation, and what operators need to do in practice to collect and validate geolocation data. Note: this is the hardest operational requirement for most supply chains.
Timeline and current effective dates
The EUDR effective date has been subject to multiple delays since the regulation was adopted in June 2023. The original deadline of December 30, 2024 for large operators was postponed. Verify the current implementation timeline from official EU sources before publishing this section. Include: the applicable dates for large operators, SMEs, and micro-enterprises; any country benchmarking status (high, standard, low risk); and current enforcement position of EU member states.
Penalties and enforcement
Cover the penalties prescribed in the regulation (maximum 4% of annual EU turnover, confiscation of goods and revenues, temporary market exclusion), who is responsible for enforcement (competent authorities in each EU member state), and what enforcement activity has looked like in the early implementation period. Note the graduated risk approach (high/standard/low risk countries).
How we help
SupCarta supports businesses managing EUDR compliance through two of our core practice areas:
- Documentation & Classification: We prepare EUDR due diligence statements and manage the geolocation evidence collection process from upstream suppliers.
- Supplier Compliance Operations: We coordinate EUDR data collection from upstream suppliers — including the geolocation data that is the hardest part of the due diligence process to operationalize.
If you're a trader or manufacturer affected by EUDR and want to understand what the due diligence process looks like in practice, reach out directly.
FAQ
Suggested FAQ items to develop: Does EUDR apply to products already in the supply chain before the effective date? How does EUDR interact with FSC certification — is FSC sufficient? What counts as "deforestation-free" under the regulation? What should small importers do if their upstream supplier can't provide geolocation data? How does the high/standard/low-risk country classification affect due diligence requirements?
Need help with EUDR due diligence now?
Reach out directly. We'll explain what the process looks like for your commodities and supply chain.