What is the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)?
The EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115), adopted in May 2023, aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market or exported from it do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation. It requires that commodities such as palm oil, cocoa, soy, coffee, and timber, among others, originate from land that has not been deforested or degraded after December 31, 2020, and that they are produced in a legally compliant manner.
Which products are covered under the EUDR?
The EUDR applies to commodities such as cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, timber, rubber, and cattle (including beef and other cattle-derived products), along with their derivatives like chocolate, furniture, and paper-based packaging.
How do I determine if my product needs to comply with the EUDR?
Your product must comply if it contains any of the regulated commodities — cattle (beef), cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, timber, or rubber.
Not all derived products are automatically covered. Only those specifically listed under Annex I (HS codes) fall within scope, such as chocolate, wooden furniture, palm oil derivatives used in food and cosmetics, etc.
What is the timeline for EUDR compliance?
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was adopted in May 2023.
As per the 2025 update, the compliance deadlines are:
- Large and medium-sized companies must comply by 30 December 2026.
- Small and micro-enterprises must comply by 30 June 2027.