What is EUDR? The EU Deforestation Regulation Explained
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) prohibits products linked to deforestation. Complete guide on requirements, deadlines, and compliance.
What is EUDR?
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, known as EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation), is legislation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU on 29 June 2023. Its primary purpose is to ensure that products placed on the European market or exported from the EU are not associated with deforestation or forest degradation.
Why was EUDR adopted?
The European Union is one of the world's largest consumers and importers of commodities linked to deforestation. Between 1990 and 2020, the world lost approximately 420 million hectares of forest. EU consumption is responsible for roughly 10% of global deforestation.
EUDR replaces Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 (the EU Timber Regulation) and significantly expands its scope from timber alone to seven key commodities and their derived products.
Which products are covered?
The regulation covers seven commodities: timber, palm oil, soy, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and cattle (including leather). It also includes derived products such as furniture, chocolate, tyres, and paper.
Key requirements
- Due diligence obligation — operators and traders must demonstrate that products are deforestation-free
- Geolocation — GPS coordinates of all production plots must be provided
- Cut-off date — products must originate from land that has not been deforested after 31 December 2020
- Due diligence statement — an electronic statement must be submitted in the EU information system before placing products on the market
Compliance timeline
Although the regulation entered into force on 29 June 2023, the compliance deadlines have been postponed. Large operators must comply by 30 December 2025, and SMEs by 30 June 2026. See the full timeline for details.
Who must comply?
Operators placing products on the EU market or exporting them, as well as traders making these products available on the market, are subject to EUDR obligations. Requirements vary depending on the size of the enterprise and the risk classification of the country of origin.
Additional resources
For practical compliance guides, visit eudr.solutions. For EUDR news and updates, see eudr.today. Also consult the frequently asked questions or the glossary of terms for further clarification.
Related Pages
EUDR Timeline: Key Dates and Compliance Deadlines
All key EUDR dates: adoption, entry into force, postponements, compliance deadlines for 2025-2026, and the Omnibus simplification proposal.
The 7 EUDR Commodities: Products and Derived Goods
Complete list of the 7 commodities covered by EUDR: timber, palm oil, soy, cocoa, coffee, rubber, cattle. Includes derived products.
EUDR Legal Analysis: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 Breakdown
Detailed analysis of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115: key articles, obligations, penalties, enforcement mechanisms, and interaction with other laws.
EUDR Scope: Who Must Comply with the Regulation?
Who must comply with EUDR: operators, traders, SMEs. Learn the obligations for each category and the differences in compliance requirements.
EUDR Country Benchmarking: Low, Standard, and High Risk
How the European Commission classifies countries by risk level: benchmarking criteria, impact on due diligence, and differentiated requirements.
EUDR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers to the 15 most common questions about the EUDR regulation: deadlines, covered products, due diligence, penalties, and compliance.
EUDR Glossary: Key Terms and Definitions
Complete glossary with 20+ EUDR terms defined: deforestation-free, due diligence, operator, trader, geolocation, benchmarking, and more.