The EU Deforestation Regulation applies to large and medium operators from 30 December 2026 and to most micro and small enterprises from 30 June 2027.
The three conditions
Relevant products may only be placed on, or exported from, the EU market if they are:
- Deforestation-free: produced on land not deforested after 31 December 2020 (and, for wood, without forest degradation).
- Legal: produced in line with the laws of the country of production, including land rights, labour and tax.
- Covered by a due diligence statement submitted to the EU information system.
Step 1: Collect information
Product description and quantity, country of production and the geolocation of every plot of land where the commodity was produced, plus evidence of legality.
Step 2: Assess the risk
Use the information, the Commission's country benchmarking (low, standard or high risk) and other sources such as satellite data, supplier history and complexity of the supply chain.
Step 3: Mitigate
If risk is more than negligible, act: request more evidence, run audits or field checks, or change suppliers. If you cannot get risk to negligible, you cannot place the product on the market.
Step 4: Submit and record
Submit the due diligence statement, keep records for five years and review your system each year. Simplified rules apply to products from low-risk countries and, since the December 2025 amendment, to some downstream operators and smaller primary producers. Check the Commission's latest guidance for which applies to you.
Last checked 13 October 2026. Educational content, not legal advice.