The EU has taken a new step in its efforts to protect the world’s forests. The new legislation – the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – means that companies handling certain raw materials in the EU will now have stricter traceability requirements in their supply chains. The regulation aims to reduce the EU’s contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation.
About the directive and what it means
The EUDR covers raw materials such as wood, paper, soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee and beef – as well as certain products containing these raw materials. Under the regulation, companies must be able to demonstrate that these products have not contributed to deforestation or forest degradation, and that they have been legally produced according to the laws of the country of origin.
To comply, companies must carry out a due diligence process, which involves:
- Traceability down to the geo-coordinate level
- Risk assessment of the supply chain
- Documentation and reporting in an EU-wide syste
When do the rules apply?
The Directive was originally due to apply on December 30, 2024, but has now been postponed by the European Commission. The new date of application is:
- December 30, 2025 for large companies
- June 30, 2026 for small and medium-sized enterprises
Which businesses are affected?
The regulation applies to all companies that import, sell or export the raw materials or products concerned within the EU. This means that companies in the beauty, retail, wholesale and e-commerce sectors may also be affected – for example if their products contain
- Palm oil – common in cosmetics and skincare products
- Cocoa or coffee – found in both food and cosmetic products
- Wood or paper – used in packaging, gift boxes and signage
Companies that do not manufacture these products themselves, but resell them under their own brand, are also covered. So the requirements apply whether you are a manufacturer, distributor or retailer.
What does this mean for you as a business?
If you buy or sell products covered by the EUDR, it is important to ensure that your supplier:
- Can demonstrate full traceability of content and origin
- Has documentation that the products are legally produced and have not contributed to deforestation
- Already working on transparency in their supply chains
More documentation may be required than before, and it will be even more important to work with suppliers who have control over their entire chain – from raw material to finished product.
How we can help you as your packaging supplier
As your partner in packaging and printed branded products, we can help you to:
Ensure traceability of products covered by the EUDR – for example, wood and paper-based packaging
- Work with suppliers who comply with the new EU requirements, and who can provide documentation on origin and legal production
- Advise on material choices and certifications, such as paper materials from sustainable forestry that facilitate compliance with the legislation
- Simplify administration by bringing together documentation, origin and information in a single flow
We closely follow the development of the EUDR and ensure that our supply and processes are in line with the requirements. Together with you, we ensure that your packaging is both high quality – and highly traceable.