This blog post focuses on key aspects of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) concerning the implementation timeline and essential milestones. The aim is to provide an overview of the implementation deadlines and the most important dates that businesses in the EU should be aware of.
EUDR – A short introduction
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is an important milestone in protecting the world’s forests and combating deforestation and forest degradation. The regulation requires businesses to ensure that the raw materials they trade are sourced legally and sustainably. The raw materials the EU aims to ensure are sourced legally and sustainably include coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, cattle, plantation wood fiber, and plantation rubber.
The EU adopted the EUDR on December 6, 2022, and it will come into effect at the end of 2025. Deforestation is one of the major causes of climate change and biodiversity loss—two of the most pressing environmental challenges we face today.
EUDR – Implementation timeline
Since the introduction of the EUDR, one change has been made under the “Timeline” category.
The purpose of this post is to provide an overview of this category and highlight the single addition – point 8.3.
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8.1 When does the regulation enter into force?
The EUDR was published in the EU’s Official Journal on June 9, 2023, and formally entered into force on June 29, 2023. Although this marked the official start of the regulation, it does not mean that companies were immediately required to comply with its requirements. Instead, a transition period was introduced to allow supply chain actors time to prepare.But when do companies need to comply?
- The regulation applies from December 30, 2024, for medium and large enterprises. From this date, all relevant products placed on the EU market or exported from the EU must comply with the EUDR’s traceability and due diligence requirements.
- Small and micro-enterprises have been granted a longer transition period. They must comply with the regulation from June 30, 2025. This means that smaller companies have six additional months to adjust their processes, ensure product traceability, and implement an effective due diligence system.
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8.2 What applies during the transition period?
Between June 29, 2023, and December 30, 2024, companies can place relevant products on the EU market without having to submit due diligence statements. Products marketed before this deadline are not subject to the regulation’s requirements.
However, companies must be aware that products produced after this date must comply with the EUDR, even if they are used in further processed products.
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8.3 Documentation for products produced before EUDR
For products that were produced before June 29, 2023, but only placed on the market after December 30, 2024, companies must be able to document the production date. This is especially relevant for agricultural commodities and wood products, where the production period may extend over several years.
For example, companies dealing with cattle products must be able to prove that the animals were born before June 29, 2023, to avoid traceability and due diligence requirements.
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Consequences of Non-Compliance
From December 30, 2024, authorities will begin enforcing the regulation, meaning that companies failing to comply risk sanctions. These may include fines of up to 4% of annual EU turnover, confiscation of goods, and bans on marketing products in the EU.
It is therefore recommended that companies start adapting their supply chains now, improve their traceability systems, and implement due diligence procedures to ensure compliance.
Stay updated with prduct.com
EUDR is complex, and companies are advised to seek guidance and stay updated to navigate the regulation’s details correctly.
Prduct.com offers a solution that simplifies EUDR compliance. We help you keep track of your HS codes and ensure compliance through automated and reliable data processing. Our platform provides a solution that directly integrates your data into the ‘TRACES’ information system.
In short we collect your data, conduct risk assessments of your entire supply chain, and help mitigate identified risks.
