In December 2024, the European Union’s new Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will come into effect, introducing significant requirements for businesses involved in the production, trade, and import of commodities such as cocoa, coffee, timber, rubber, palm oil, and others. The regulation aims to ensure that products entering the EU market are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
The EUDR will require companies to implement robust due diligence processes to confirm that their supply chains are deforestation-free. Businesses must:
Provide evidence that the commodities they source do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.
Ensure traceability of products back to their origin.
Comply with relevant local laws in producer countries and meet the EU’s sustainability standards.
Failure to comply could lead to fines, penalties, and exclusion from the EU market, placing significant pressure on companies to align with the regulation ahead of its implementation.
Companies must assess their readiness to meet the EUDR’s requirements. To support businesses in navigating these changes, sustainability experts Pallavi Sharma, Agricultural Sector Lead at Beyond Human Rights Compliance, and Anouschka Jansen, Director of Sustainability at QIMA will share their insights during an upcoming fireside chat.
The discussion will address:
The latest developments and legal complexities surrounding the EUDR.
Steps businesses need to take to assess risk and ensure compliance.
Strategies for improving supply chain transparency and meeting due diligence obligations.
The EUDR signals a major step in the EU’s efforts to tackle global deforestation and environmental degradation. Businesses operating in affected sectors must act now to understand their obligations, assess risks within their supply chains, and adopt the necessary measures to ensure compliance.
As noted by Pallavi Sharma:
“The EUDR marks a critical shift for businesses. Compliance is not only about meeting regulatory standards but also about fostering greater supply chain transparency and aligning with global sustainability goals.”
Companies are encouraged to prioritise early preparation and identify gaps in their supply chain management to avoid disruptions and potential non-compliance.
To learn more about the EUDR and what it means for your business, register for our fireside chat here: https://bit.ly/EUDR-chat