EUDR & FSC EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) and the FSC mission are mutually reinforcing. We are committed to continue fighting deforestation and degradation in Europe and worldwide. FSC / Milan Reška EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) On 29 June 2023, the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) entered into force. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has supported this landmark regulation since the beginning. FSC is leading systemic change and developing enhanced technologies to enable compliance. Journey to enable EUDR compliance → How is FSC addressing EUDR? The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the European Union share a unified vision to protect our forests. As the most credible global sustainable forestry solution, FSC’s trusted certifications already deliver on numerous requirements of the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), and in many ways exceed its scope and ambitions. FSC EUDR Toolbox will provide integrated solutions to support compliance FSC continues to strengthen its system so actors throughout the supply chain can meet all aspects of EUDR and other relevant forestry legislation in Europe and across the world. FSC is leading systemic change and developing new technologies to help companies meet EUDR requirements. From June 2024, the FSC EUDR Toolbox will provide a set of integrated tools that companies at any point in the value chain can use to meet EUDR legality, sustainability, and due diligence obligations. Targeted support will help companies adopt these tools ahead of December 2024 enforcement. 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. The role of FSC and other voluntary schemes in the EUDR 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 minimize 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 journey to enable EUDR compliance downloads: Fact sheet Full infographic Summary infographic (displayed above) Frequently Asked Questions on FSC and EUDR The EUDR is a game changer, and a much welcomed one. The fight against deforestation and degradation has been at the core of FSC since the beginning. EUDR objectives and FSC's mission are mutually reinforcing. We are committed to make the EUDR a success by aligning our standards and practices to relevant forestry legislation, in Europe and worldwide, and co-creating, with our diverse membership, new forest solutions balancing environmental, economic, and social interests. Kim Carstensen, Director General, FSC International FSC / Jesús Antonio Moo Yam Learn more about the EUDR Deforestation is a main driver of the climate and biodiversity crises, and the EU contributes to it by consuming a significant share of products associated with deforestation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has found that halting deforestation and restoring ecosystems is one of the most efficient ways to reduce CO2 levels and thus fighting climate change. 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. Which products does EUDR apply to? The EUDR applies to wood, rubber, palm oil, soy, beef, coffee, and cacao. Wood products, which are most connected to harvesting, have additional 'degradation-free' requirements. FSC / Jjumba Martin Wood Rubber Palm oil Soy Beef Coffee & Cacao 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. FSC / Marius Čepulis How will EUDR be enforced? The EU Competent Authorities, which are yet to be nominated, will be the organizations in charge of enforcing and implementing the EUDR. They will have access to relevant information provided by the companies or credible voluntary systems, such as the geolocation coordinates of relevant commodities. With the help of satellite monitoring tools and DNA analysis, they will check where products come from. Timelines and what happens next The EUDR entered into force on 29 June 2023 and the new rules will become applicable as of 30 Dec 2024. Exemptions and specific provisions will be applicable for micro and small enterprises (SMEs). In the next 18 months the Commission will also benchmark countries, or parts of them, and will determine their levels of deforestation risk, which could be low, standard, or high. Products from low-risk countries will be subject to a simplified due diligence procedure. Assessments from the EU Commission may be revised over time. In parallel, FSC is assessing how its standards align with the EUDR while identifying required steps to further support operators and traders to comply with it. Official information from the EU Commission Proposal for a new Regulation to curb EU-driven deforestation and forest degradation EU Commission position on deforestation and relevant resources EU Commission Frequently Asked Questions on EU Deforestation Regulation FSC / Phil Sharp Contacts at FSC Contact FSC EUDR task force Send your questions and queries to our dedicated mailbox: EUDR@fsc.org. Receive updates Subscribe to FSC’s newsletter, News & Views, to stay informed about the latest FSC & EUDR updates. Subscribe now → More on FSC & EUDR FSC / Jjumba Martin FSC’s position and 10 recommendations to improve the new EU rules for deforestation-free products Read more → FSC welcomes the new EU Regulation on deforestation-free products – and is ready to work for effective enforcement on the ground Read more → FSC / Jesús Antonio Moo Yam The EUDR is a reality Read more →