What is a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) under the EUDR?
A Due Diligence Statement (DDS) is a mandatory declaration confirming that a product or batch placed on or exported from the EU market does not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.
The DDS must include:
- Geolocation data of the production plots
- Supplier and buyer details
- Quantity and country of production
- Evidence of compliance with local laws
- Assurance of deforestation-free status
Companies are required to retain all due diligence documentation for at least five years to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
What information is required in a Due Diligence Statement (DDS)?
The DDS should include product origin, sustainability certifications, environmental risk assessments, and evidence of deforestation-free sourcing.
How do businesses demonstrate EUDR compliance?
Through traceability, risk assessments, and submitting Due Diligence Statements (DDS) for each product batch imported into the EU.
Is the submission of the DDS a one-time requirement or batch-by-batch?
Under the updated 2025 guidance, submission of a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) is no longer strictly required for every single batch.
For certain operators, it may be possible to reuse DDS when reimporting goods or to submit DDS less frequently than per batch. These simplifications are still evolving, and companies should follow the latest EU guidance to confirm how the changes apply to their operations.