Deforestation requirements for food companies

The Deforestation Regulation covers commodities such as soy, coffee, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, cattle and wood, as well as products made from or containing these commodities.

 

Under the Regulation, products may only be placed on the market if they:

• are deforestation-free

• have been produced in accordance with the legislation of the country of production

• are covered by a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) submitted to the EU EUDR information system

 

The obligations particularly affect food industry operators and traders, including raw material wholesalers, processors, importers and food manufacturers.

24 October 2025

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European Commission proposes changes to the EU Deforestation Regulation

The European Commission has published proposed amendments concerning the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). According to the proposal, the Regulation would begin to apply in part from 30 December 2025.

 

The proposed amendments aim particularly to reduce the administrative burden on operators further down the supply chain and on smaller businesses.

 

Before the Commission’s proposed changes can enter into force, they must still be considered in negotiations between the EU Member States and by the European Parliament.

 

Read the Finnish Food Authority’s announcement here​

Every operator is responsible for ensuring the sustainability and compliance of its supply chain. This involves three key stages:

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1. Establishing a Due Diligence system
   The company must establish a documented system describing the origin and geolocation of the product, risk assessment procedures and measures for mitigating identified risks.

2. Submitting a Due Diligence Statement
   Before products are imported, exported or placed on the market, an electronic Due Diligence Statement must be submitted through the EU EUDR information system, TRACES. Each product consignment receives its own DD reference number.

3. Managing and transferring the DD reference number
   The reference number must be passed on to the next operator in the supply chain. This helps ensure transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain.

 

Envitecpolis supports your company at every stage, from developing the Due Diligence system and assessing risks to registration in the EUDR information system.

The Regulation entered into force in summer 2023, but its application was postponed by one year. According to the previous timetable, the Regulation was due to apply from the end of 2025 and from 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises. However, the European Commission has proposed postponing the application of the Regulation by a further year.

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The postponement proposal still requires approval by the European Parliament. If approved, application of the Regulation will begin in December 2026.

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Now is the right time to prepare. Envitecpolis’ experts can help determine whether the Regulation applies to your company and what actions are required to develop an appropriate Due Diligence system.

Envitecpolis has been involved in sustainability and food value chain development since 2008. We understand the practical impact of regulatory requirements on the day-to-day operations of food companies.

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We help your company to:

• develop and document a Due Diligence system

• assess supply chain risks and classifications

• implement the necessary updates to sustainability management

• train personnel in EUDR-compliant processes

 

Contact us and let us build a responsible, deforestation-free and compliant supply chain together.