The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) introduces strict new requirements for businesses importing or selling certain commodities within the EU. Achieving compliance means demonstrating that these products are deforestation-free, legally sourced, and traceable to specific land plots. With enforcement dates approaching 30.12.2025 for large enterprises and 30.06.2026 for small and micro-enterprises companies must adopt structured, verifiable processes.
This article explains the core concept of EUDR certification and outlines the tools and support mechanisms businesses need to stay compliant. It highlights the regulatory framework, certification requirements, and common operational challenges. The article also details how eudr.co, a digital compliance platform, helps organizations efficiently manage the end-to-end certification process.
Understanding the EUDR: Background and Scope
The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was adopted to address the global environmental impact of deforestation associated with supply chains. Its goal is to ensure that products entering the EU market are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
The regulation applies to several high-risk commodities and their derived products, including:
- Cattle (beef and leather).
- Cocoa (raw and processed).
- Coffee (beans and products).
- Oil palm and its derivatives.
- Soy and soy-based items.
- Wood, paper, and timber products.
- Natural rubber and related goods.
To comply with EUDR, companies must:
- Conduct due diligence.
- Provide geolocation data for production sites.
- Maintain robust documentation.
Non-compliance may lead to penalties, seizure of goods, or exclusion from the EU market. Reputational damage is also a concern. For any business connected to these supply chains, understanding and preparing for EUDR certification is now essential.
EUDR obligations become enforceable on 30.12.2025 for large companies and on 30.06.2026 for small and micro-enterprises. Businesses should act early to align with these deadlines.
What Is EUDR Certification?
EUDR certification refers to the process of demonstrating full alignment with the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation. It is not a third-party-issued certificate but a set of verified internal procedures and legal declarations.
The key difference from traditional sustainability certifications, such as FSC or PEFC, is that EUDR is a legally binding compliance standard rather than a voluntary environmental label.
At the heart of the EUDR certification process is the Due Diligence Statement (DDS), a formal declaration submitted to EU authorities confirming that:
- The product is deforestation-free.
- It complies with local laws in the country of origin.
- The company has conducted the required risk assessments.
Traceability is another critical element. Companies must provide precise geolocation coordinates for each plot of land linked to the commodity. This information must be accurate, complete, and stored securely for a minimum of five years.
EUDR certification ensures legal access to the EU market and aligns supply chains with global environmental expectations.
Challenges Companies Face in Achieving EUDR Certification
Implementing EUDR certification presents operational and technical challenges for businesses of all sizes. Even companies with mature compliance programs must reconfigure processes to meet EUDR’s specific legal requirements.
One of the most complex tasks is the collection and validation of supply chain data. This includes:
- Identifying all suppliers and production sites.
- Collecting precise geolocation data.
- Verifying documentation of legal land use.
Many companies struggle with inconsistent data formats, limited supplier cooperation, or a lack of internal resources to manage verification tasks.
Another significant challenge is conducting risk assessments. This process involves evaluating deforestation risk by region, commodity type, and supplier behavior. Without automated tools, the process can become fragmented or incomplete.
Smaller companies may also lack legal expertise or digital infrastructure to manage reporting requirements or respond to audits. Without a reliable framework, the risk of errors, delays, and non-compliance increases.
These challenges highlight the need for purpose-built digital tools that simplify data handling, guide due diligence, and support long-term traceability.
How eudr.co Helps: A Digital Solution for EUDR Certification
To help companies meet the demands of EUDR certification, eudr.co provides a digital compliance platform designed specifically around the regulation’s structure. It supports centralized data handling, documentation workflows, and audit preparation.
Overview of the Platform
EUDR.co is a scalable digital platform built to simplify EUDR compliance through automation and process standardization. The system is suited for both multinational enterprises and smaller suppliers.
Its user-friendly interface allows compliance, sustainability, and procurement teams to collaborate efficiently. By consolidating all data in a secure environment, the platform ensures consistency and transparency throughout the certification process.
End-to-End Certification Workflow Support
The platform guides users through each stage of certification, beginning with product identification and supplier mapping. Users can:
- Import supplier and land plot data.
- Upload and organize documents.
- Assign geolocation coordinates to each sourcing site.
Built-in validation mechanisms ensure that the uploaded data meets EUDR criteria. The system helps prepare Due Diligence Statements and stores them securely for at least five years.
Automation and Risk Management
Eudr.co includes an automated risk engine that evaluates:
- Country-level and regional deforestation risks.
- Supplier history and document status.
- Commodity-specific vulnerability.
The platform generates alerts and task suggestions when risks are identified. It provides checklists for mitigation actions, helping companies prioritize areas needing intervention.
Integration and Interoperability
The platform is built for integration with existing enterprise systems. It supports:
- ERP software for inventory data.
- GIS and satellite services for land monitoring.
- TracesNT for customs documentation.
- Certification platforms such as FSC or PEFC.
Eudr.co offers an API-first architecture, allowing flexible data exchange between compliance systems and core business platforms. This eliminates duplication and ensures real-time synchronization.
Audit Support and Legal Recordkeeping
The platform is designed to meet EU audit requirements. It enables companies to:
- Generate summaries and detailed compliance reports.
- Track data history and user actions.
- Provide secure, read-only access to regulators or third-party auditors.
Audit readiness is built into the workflow, allowing businesses to respond quickly and confidently to inspection requests.
Why Businesses Choose eudr.co for EUDR Certification
Businesses turn to eudr.co for its purpose-built approach to EUDR certification. The platform’s singular focus on the regulation ensures legal alignment and operational clarity.
Its intuitive interface supports teams with varying technical skills, reducing training time and enabling faster onboarding. eudr.co’s automation tools eliminate manual data processing and simplify risk management.
The platform is scalable across industries and company sizes, supporting cocoa traders, timber exporters, agribusinesses, and multinational retailers alike. Built-in flexibility accommodates different supply chain models without compromising legal requirements.
These features make eudr.co a trusted choice for companies aiming to achieve certification without increasing overhead.
Getting Started with eudr.co
Starting the certification journey with EUDR.co is straightforward. The platform offers guided onboarding, clear templates, and data import tools that reduce startup time.
To begin, companies need to:
- Identify relevant products and suppliers.
- Collect available geolocation and legal documents.
- Assign team roles and define internal workflows.
Support options include demos, expert consultations, and integration guidance. Whether preparing for initial certification or managing ongoing compliance, businesses can rely on a structured path forward.
Conclusion
EUDR certification represents a significant regulatory shift for companies working with forest-risk commodities. It requires precise data management, traceability, and ongoing risk assessment. For businesses selling into the EU, compliance is no longer optional – it is essential for market access and long-term sustainability alignment.
Digital platforms like eudr.co simplify this process by transforming complex regulatory tasks into structured, manageable workflows. By combining automation, integration, and transparency, they allow companies to navigate EUDR certification confidently, with full control over compliance operations.
FAQ
The goal of EUDR certification is to confirm that products placed on the EU market are not linked to deforestation and are legally sourced. This is achieved through due diligence, geolocation tracking, and formal declarations. It ensures that businesses follow environmental laws and protect supply chain integrity.
No, EUDR certification is not issued by an external organization. It is a self-declared compliance process where businesses collect evidence, assess risk, and submit Due Diligence Statements to EU authorities. Unlike FSC or PEFC, it is a legal obligation under EU law.
Companies must gather detailed information about sourcing sites, including geolocation coordinates, legal land-use documents, and supplier declarations. This data forms the basis of risk assessments and must be stored securely for future audits.
Yes. While the process is complex, digital platforms streamline tasks and reduce the need for extensive in-house resources. Automation, templates, and guided workflows make certification accessible even for small or micro-enterprises.
Businesses are required to store all relevant data, including Due Diligence Statements, for at least five years. These records must be available for inspection by EU authorities at any time during that period.
EUDR becomes enforceable on 30.12.2025 for large companies and on 30.06.2026 for small and micro-enterprises. Businesses should begin preparing well in advance to meet these deadlines.
Technology helps centralize data, automate risk analysis, and ensure accurate reporting. Platforms designed for EUDR reduce manual work, improve data integrity, and provide audit-ready documentation, making compliance more efficient and reliable.