EUDR and FSC
The European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR) is the new EU initiative to limit deforestation and degradation caused by forestry and agricultural activities all over the world.
Some changes to the FSC system have been made to fully align with EUDR requirements. See how they apply to you here.
What is the EUDR and why is it being introduced?
Deforestation is one of the main drivers of the climate and biodiversity crises, and the EU contributes to it by consuming a significant share of products associated with deforestation. The EUDR aims to ensure that a set of key products traded and consumed in the EU and globally no longer contribute to deforestation and forest degradation.
While the EUDR is a European legislation, its implications are global. Companies placing or exporting the affected products in or from the EU market will have to conduct due diligence to confirm that the products have not been sourced from land which was deforested or degraded after 31 December 2020. Companies will also have to verify that these products are compliant with relevant legislation of the country of production, including respect for human rights, and the rights of affected Indigenous Peoples.
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Which products does the EUDR apply to?
The EU Commission considers the main driver of deforestation and forest degradation is the expansion of agricultural land, which is linked to the production of commodities imported into the EU such as soy, beef, palm oil, wood, rubber, cocoa, and coffee.
Within each commodity, the regulation defines which products are included within the scope of the law, according to a list of EU customs codes. The list (found in an Annex to the regulation) also includes some derived products such as leather, chocolate, and furniture.
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What does EUDR mean for companies?
While the EUDR is a European legislation, its implications are global. Companies placing or exporting the affected products in or from the EU market will have to conduct due diligence to confirm that the products have not been sourced from land which was deforested or degraded after 31 December 2020. Companies will also have to verify that these products are compliant with relevant legislation of the country of production, including respect for human rights, and the rights of affected Indigenous Peoples.
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What does this mean for UK businesses?
In the UK, the Environment Act 2021 sets out the framework for legislation requiring companies to implement due diligence systems (DDS) for forest risk commodities in their supply chains. However, this will focus on the other commodities with timber and paper products remaining under the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR). Click here to find out more about the UKTR.
What does EUDR mean for UK Businesses?- Companies with EU operations will have obligations as operators and/or traders.
- Companies with customers in the EU will need to supply data to help them comply with the EUDR.
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Find out if EUDR applies to you
If you are an FSC Certificate Holder and you would like to know if EUDR applies to you, you can search your product code in the FSC Product Classification & Harmonized System Alignment guidance document here.
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Where to find more information about the EUDR
Meeting your EUDR requirements with FSC
Robust certification can help companies meet EUDR requirements. As one of the most robust sustainable forestry solutions, FSC is strongly aligned with the EUDR legality and sustainability requirements and can help companies assess and minimise the risk that relevant forest-based products come from a land which was deforested or degraded.
Thanks to involvement in the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) – which was used to build the EUDR – FSC has acquired over 10 years of experience with the concept of due diligence and has supported companies and EU Competent Authorities in fighting illegal logging and deforestation across Europe and globally.
FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR
FSC is taking the guesswork and complexity out of EUDR requirements, helping certificate holders become compliant on time. By 30 December 2024, your business must be EUDR-compliant if you’re selling within or exporting from the EU. Being EUDR-compliant means showing your forest-based products are legal, not sourced from deforested land, and do not contribute to degradation.
FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR is an add-on module that builds on FSC’s rigorous responsible forestry practices with specific EUDR regulatory expectations around risk, due diligence, and transparency in supply chains. It includes the FSC Regulatory Module and FSC Risk Assessment Framework.
It is important to note that, while schemes can help meet due diligence requirements, being certified does not automatically exempt companies from their EUDR duties. All relevant actors must play their part in the fight against deforestation.
For more information on FSC and the EUDR, please visit the FSC International website
Catch up on previous webinars and podcasts
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Publication of FSC-PRO-60-006b Risk Assessment Framework webinar by FSC International
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FSC Regulatory Module & system-wide changes webinar by FSC International
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The EUDR & FSC webinar by FSC UK
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FSC & EUDR: One year to implementation webinar by FSC International
‘Forest of the Future’ podcast episodes on EUDR:
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Setting the scene – Why requirements on geo location? (Getting granular on EUDR, episode 1 of 3)
- How might we use existing technologies to comply? (Getting granular on EUDR, episode 2 of 3)
- The global perspective on EUDR (Getting granular on EUDR, episode 3 of 3)
- How can we help you? – How FSC is aligning to EUDR (Chapter 1)
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How can we help you? – How FSC is aligning to EUDR (Chapter 2)
Do you have any questions?
Send your questions and queries to our dedicated mailbox: EUDR@fsc.org
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