FAQs: Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

It’s a new EU law that says certain products must be proven to be “deforestation-free” before they can be sold in the EU.

In practice, this means companies have to check and show that the goods weren’t produced on land that was recently cleared of forests.

The aim is to cut down global deforestation linked to products like timber, rubber, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, and soy.

The regulation applies to timber, rubber, palm oil, soy, coffee, cocoa, and cattle products (like beef and leather). These are classed as the “relevant commodities” under the law.

It also extends to items made from these commodities. These are called “Relevant products” and are listed by their customs code in EUDR annex I. For example, furniture or paper made from timber, chocolate made from cocoa, or shoes made from leather are all included.

Here’s an example list of items made from these materials and will therefore be affected by the Deforestation Regulation:

Food & Agriculture
Chocolate and other cocoa-based products
Coffee beans and ground coffee
Palm oil in foods like spreads, biscuits, or instant noodles
Beef (fresh, frozen, or processed)
Animal feed made with soy

Consumer Goods & Manufacturing
Wooden furniture (tables, chairs, cabinets)
Paper and cardboard packaging
Leather goods (shoes, bags, belts)
Rubber tyres
Cosmetics and soaps containing palm oil

The main requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will apply from 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized operators. Most small and micro operators have until 30 June 2027 to comply.
However, small and micro operators already covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) are generally subject to the earlier 30 December 2026 deadline.

Key dates for the EUDR
29 June 2023 – Regulation entered into force.
30 December 2026 – Main compliance deadline for large and medium-sized operators and small and micro operators covered by the EUTR.
30 June 2027 – Extended compliance deadline for most other small and micro operators.

Products that were first placed on the EU market before the applicable EUDR compliance deadlines — 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized operators and 30 June 2027 for most small and micro operators — are generally not subject to the EUDR’s main requirements, provided the relevant transitional conditions are met.

Businesses may need to retain evidence demonstrating that the products were placed on the market before the applicable deadline. Special transitional rules apply to certain timber and timber products covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR).

In EU law, “placing on the market” means the first time a product is supplied for distribution, consumption, or use in the EU — whether it’s sold or given away for free.

“Products” in this context means individual items, not a type of product.

No. Individual products that were legally placed on the EU market before the deadlines do not need to be changed or removed. Individual units of a type of product that was already available must be made form deforestation-free materials with a DDS or have their own DDSs.

Products placed on the EU market need:

EITHER a DDS submitted to EU traces

OR: DDS numbers for all the relevant materials, ingredients and products it is made from.

Collect information – details about the product, its origin, and the land where it was produced (including geo-location data).
Assess risk – check whether there is any chance the product comes from recently deforested land or breaches local laws.
Take action – if risks are found, reduce or remove them before placing the product on the market.
Once this process is done, companies must make a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) to register compliance.

You or your Authorised Representative will need the following details to submit a due diligence statement:

This includes:

Product description and quantity
Country of production
Geo-location of the land where it was produced
Proof that the land was not recently deforested and complies with local laws
Your due diligence statement

If your company is based outside the EU, your importer or Authorised Representative needs this because they are the party legally responsible for your compliance within the EU. They may also need to show this information to EU market authorities during checks or inspections.

Relevant Commodities and Products must have a DDS before they are placed on the EU market. This can be done by the manufacturer at source or by the importer or authorised representative before importing into the EU.

For manufacturers of products made from raw materials for which a DDS has been submitted, exercising due diligence merely means getting and keeping DDS numbers for the raw materials. They do not need to create or submit a Due Diligence Statement or obtain their own Due Diligence Statement number.

The Due Diligence Statement (DDS) number – sometimes called the EUDR DDS number – is a unique reference number automatically generated by the EU’s online information system when a company submits its due diligence statement under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

It serves as proof that the company has declared its products to be deforestation-free and compliant with EUDR requirements.

Manufacturers and suppliers of materials must or should share the DDS with distributors (traders).

The DDS number may be requested by EU market surveillance authorities during checks.