The EUDR extends its scope beyond timber to agricultural and forestry products
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is set to replace the existing EU Timber Trade Regulation (EUTR) on 30 December 2024, extending its scope to agricultural and forestry products.
Ensuring deforestation-free supply chains
With this new regulation, the EU aims to ensure that only products that have been sourced in a way that does not contribute to deforestation anywhere in the world enter the market.
Under the EUDR, the 'first operator' on the market — typically the importer — must provide geolocation data from the product's origin when entering it into a new EU electronic system.
Token system and supply chain documentation
After entry into the EU system, a token is generated that must accompany the goods within the EU market. At the export point, these tokens are re-entered into the system and must be linked to the next supply chain.
To facilitate this process, the entire supply chain — from the forest/cultivation site to the EU border — must share the geo-coordinates of the raw material origin sites assigned to individual shipments.
Essential requirements for importers
In summary, importers must provide the following information for goods to be cleared at EU borders:
1. Supply chain traceability from the forest/cultivation site to the EU border, evidenced by documented proof.
2. Proof of legal harvest.
3. Provision of geolocation data (shapefiles) for the forest/cultivation sources relevant to the supplied product.
4. Any additional information indicating the low-risk status of the raw materials, such as FSC certification.