Navigating EUDR compliance with confidence.
Ensure your business is ready for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) with Gaston Schul's expert guidance. We simplify complex regulations, allowing you to focus on your core operations.
Understanding EUDR
What is the EU Deforestation Regulation?
The EU Deforestation Regulation is a new European Union law designed to:
- Prevent deforestation and forest degradation
- Protect global forests
- Combat climate change
It affects businesses importing specific agricultural commodities and related products into the EU.
Scope and requirements
What does the EUDR entail and which products are covered?
The EUDR requires exporters of goods containing specific raw materials to the European market to prove that their products do not come from deforested areas or are related to deforestation in any form. This proof must be provided through a due diligence statement.
The regulation covers the following raw materials and their derivatives:
- Cattle
- Cocoa
- Coffee
- Oil palm
- Rubber
- Soy
- Wood
Timeline
When does the EUDR come into effect?
The EUDR is set to take effect on December 30, 2025:
- Large businesses must comply immediately.
- Micro and small businesses have until June 30, 2026.
Extension of original implementation date
The obligations under the EUDR were originally supposed to come into effect by 30 December 2024 for large businesses and 30 June 2025 for micro and small businesses.
In response to requests from global partners, the European Commission had proposed an additional 12 months as a phased implementation period for the EUDR. This was approved by the European Parliament on 14 November 2024.
Despite this delay, we advise businesses to start preparing now. The IT system for registering due diligence statements is expected to be operational by December 2024.
Compliance strategy
How can you prepare for EUDR compliance?
EUDR compliance requires businesses to prove their goods are deforestation-free through a due diligence statement. To prepare this due diligence statement, you must:
- Collect information: Gather data and documents to prove your goods are not from deforested areas
- Assess risks: Use the collected information to check if your products might be associated with deforestation.
- Mitigate risks: Reduce significant risks through additional research, surveys, testing, or independent inspections.
- Prepare due diligence statements: Be ready to submit these for your affected products.
UK regulations
UK Forest Risk Commodity Regulation (UKFRC)
The UK is introducing its own Forest Risk Commodity Regulation (UKFRC), aimed at minimising deforestation worldwide. While similar to the EUDR, there are differences in scope and implementation. The UKFRC is still in the legislative process with no confirmed go-live date. UK businesses, especially those in Northern Ireland, should be aware of both regulations and prepare accordingly.
Get expert EUDR guidance from our customs experts
Our EUDR services and support include:
Discovery call
A discovery call to help align our services with your needs.
EUDR goods check
We check if goods are classified correctly and confirm if the goods are affected by the EUDR.
Monthly report
A report indicating which of your shipments are affected by the EUDR.
Advisory
We guide you in setting up EUDR procedures and assist you in filling and submitting the due diligence statement.
Submitting due diligence statement
We help you in filling and submitting the due diligence statement, ensuring all required data is accurate and compliant.
Gaston Schul can directly benefit your business in EUDR compliance.
Experience the power of legacy, neutrality, and innovation with Gaston Schul. We specialise solely in Customs and Trade. With a tradition rooted in customer-centricity we forge enduring partnerships through tailored solutions, unmatched expertise, and unwavering commitment. Trust us to be your impartial guide and make the complicated, uncomplicated.
Expertise in EUDR regulations
We have a deep understanding of the current and evolving EUDR regulations, including reporting requirements, product coverage and future expansion plans. Our team is equipped to translate these complex regulations into clear, actionable steps, guiding your business through every phase of compliance.
Contact us
Ensure accurate EUDR reporting
Our understanding of the EUDR product coverage, information requirements and obligations enable us to ensure accurate EUDR report submissions. Our team will guide you in gathering all the information you need to correctly complete your due diligence statement.
Contact us
Single point of contact advantage
Enjoy the benefits of personalised support from a dedicated advisor who understands your business context. In need of further assistance? You know who to contact to get the expert support you need.
Contact usLet us help you simplify EUDR compliance
We’re here to provide you with comprehensive support for EUDR compliance. We navigate the EUDR updates and reporting requirements, so your compliance with authorities in this matter becomes streamlined and hassle-free, no matter where your business is located.
Speak to our team today.
Our friendly team is here to help. Give us a call to speak to someone immediately, or kindly fill out the contact form on the right and a member of our team will respond within one business day.
EUDR FAQs
The EUDR has officially been passed and is in force since 29 June 2023. However, from 30 December 2025 any party exporting these goods to or from the European market must be able to prove that they do not come from a deforested area or are related to deforestation in any form. Meaning you have EUDR obligations from then on.
Extension of original implementation date
The obligations under the EUDR were originally supposed to come into effect by 30 December 2024 for large businesses and 30 June 2025 for micro and small businesses.
In response to requests from global partners, the European Commission had proposed an additional 12 months as a phased implementation period for the EUDR. This was approved by the European Parliament on 14 November 2024.
Despite this delay, we advise businesses to start preparing now. The IT system for registering due diligence statements is expected to be operational by December 2024.
No, there will be no transitional phase for the EUDR.
The EUDR applies specifically to products containing the following raw materials:
- Cattle
- Cocoa
- Coffee
- Oil palm
- Rubber
- Soy
- Wood
Annex I in Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 specifies the commodity codes of the relevant commodities and products. The area from which the goods originate is irrelevant here.
Relevant commodities and relevant products may not be placed or made available on the market or exported, unless all the following conditions are fulfilled:
- They are deforestation-free
- They have been produced in accordance with the relevant legislation of the country of production
- They are covered by a due diligence statement
As defined in Article 2(15) of the Regulation, an operator is a natural or legal person who places relevant products on the market (including through imports) or exports them in the course of commercial activity.
Operators must provide a due diligence statement with the regulated products listed above. Once the declaration is signed, the operator confirms that it has exercised due diligence. Due diligence includes the following:
- The collection of necessary information, data and documents
- Risk assessment measures
- Risk mitigation measures
Operators must provide the required information that shows compliance with the listed goods. This means that if a product, which falls under one of the categories listed above, is imported or exported, it must be accompanied by an indication of:
- Whether the product is deforestation-free
- Whether the product was produced in accordance with the relevant legislation of the country of production
- That the product is accompanied by a relevant due diligence statement
This information must be available for five years from the date of placing the goods on the market. The information must include a comprehensive product description, indicating the relevant raw materials used to manufacture the product. Other information requirements can be found in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115.
Operators carry out a risk assessment to verify the compliance of their products with the requirements of the EUDR. Products may only be placed on the market or exported if there is no or only a negligible risk of non-compliance of the relevant products. A comprehensive list of criteria can be found in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115.
If there is a risk of non-compliance, economic operators suggest applying risk mitigation procedures to the product. In this way, the risk is reduced.
The risk mitigation measures may include:
- Requiring additional information, data or documents
- Carrying out independent surveys or audits
- Taking other measures pertaining to information requirements
The regulation is set up to combat deforestation. Other objectives of the rules include: preventing products bought or used by Europeans from contributing to deforestation, reducing carbon emissions for at least 32 million tonnes a year and mapping all deforestation caused by farmland.
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115
- News article: EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Our friendly team of customs experts is here to help. Give us a call to speak to someone immediately, or kindly fill out the contact form above and a member of our team will respond within one business day.