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EUDR basics: who, what and when

A practical starting point for understanding product scope, company roles, evidence, risk and the current 2026–2027 timetable.

What is the EUDR?

The EU Deforestation Regulation covers specified products linked to cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soy and wood. The objective is to keep relevant products placed on or exported from the EU market aligned with deforestation-free and legality requirements.

Step 1: Check the product, not just the commodity

The seven commodities are only the starting point. Legal product scope is set by Annex I and CN codes. Some entries are marked “ex”, which means only part of a customs heading is covered.

Step 2: Identify your role

RoleMain questionTypical workflow focus
Upstream operatorAre you first placing/exporting?Due diligence + declaration
Downstream operator / traderHas upstream due diligence already occurred?Role-specific records / registration
Non-EU supplierWhat evidence does the EU customer need?Origin, geolocation, legality evidence

Step 3: Collect the evidence

Depending on the product and role, the workflow can require product and quantity information, production country, supplier/customer details, production timing, geolocation and evidence supporting legality and deforestation-free status.

Step 4: Understand country risk

The Commission benchmarks countries as low, standard or high risk. Low-risk sourcing can enable simplified due diligence where legal conditions are met, but it does not remove the need for required information.

Step 5: Assess and mitigate risk

Where the ordinary due-diligence pathway applies, operators assess whether there is no or negligible risk and document mitigation when necessary before the relevant market activity.

Step 6: Complete the declaration workflow

The applicable DDS or simplified-declaration workflow uses the official EUDR Information System. A declaration does not replace the supporting due-diligence work.

Current application dates

  • 30 December 2026: large and medium operators.
  • 30 December 2026: micro/small operators already covered by EUTR.
  • 30 June 2027: most other micro and small operators.
  • 30 December 2027: products newly added by the 2026 Annex I amendment.
Best next step: use the free checker for role/timing, then use the CN Code Index or Product Checker to confirm product scope.

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