What is the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)?

Dutch term: EUDR | Legal basis: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) prohibits the placing on the EU market of specified commodities and products (cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, wood and derived products) unless they are deforestation-free and have been produced in accordance with the legislation of the country of production. Operators and traders must exercise due diligence.

The due diligence obligation requires collecting geolocation data, conducting risk assessment, and implementing risk mitigation measures for each relevant product entering the EU market. Companies must submit a due diligence statement before placing the product on the market or exporting it. The regulation applies to large operators from 30 December 2025 and to SMEs from 30 June 2026.

Why it matters for international businesses

For international businesses importing agricultural and forestry products through the Netherlands, EUDR compliance requires supply chain traceability and due diligence systems that may need to be reflected in upstream supply contracts.