EUDR is the EU Deforestation Regulation, an EU law that keeps products linked to deforestation off the EU market. It covers seven commodities: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soy and wood. It applies to companies from December 30, 2026, and to micro and small companies from June 30, 2027.
What EUDR Stands For
EUDR stands for the EU Deforestation Regulation, officially Regulation (EU) 2023/1115. It is an EU law that applies directly in every member state. It bars seven commodities, and listed products made from them, from the EU market and from export unless they meet three conditions:
- They were produced on land not deforested after December 31, 2020.
- They were produced legally under the laws of the country of production.
- They are covered by a due diligence statement filed before they are placed on the market or exported.
The regulation defines its key terms:
- Deforestation: converting forest to agricultural use, whether caused by people or not. Agricultural use includes crop plantations, such as oil palm, and livestock rearing.
- Forest: land of more than 0.5 hectares with trees taller than 5 meters and canopy cover above 10%, excluding land mainly in agricultural or urban use.
- Forest degradation: converting primary or naturally regenerating forest into plantation forest or other wooded land, or primary forest into planted forest. This test applies to wood.
Why the EU Created the EUDR
The regulation has two stated aims: to cut the EU’s contribution to deforestation and forest degradation worldwide, and to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.
Before the EUDR, the only comparable EU rule was the EU Timber Regulation, which barred illegally harvested timber. Nothing stopped beef, soy, palm oil or cocoa grown on cleared forest from entering the EU market. The EUDR replaces the Timber Regulation from December 30, 2026.
Forests provide habitat for 80% of amphibian, 75% of bird and 68% of mammal species, according to the FAO.
What the EUDR Covers
- Cattle: live cattle, beef, offal and prepared beef. Leather was removed in September 2026.
- Cocoa: cocoa beans, paste, butter, powder and chocolate.
- Coffee: green and roasted coffee. Instant coffee is added from December 30, 2027.
- Oil palm: palm oil, palm kernel oil, palm kernel cake and listed derivatives such as glycerol. More derivatives, including palm-based soaps, are added from December 30, 2027.
- Rubber: natural rubber, new tires and some rubber goods. Retreaded tires and rubber belts were removed in September 2026.
- Soy: soybeans, soybean oil, soy flour and meal, and soybean cake.
- Wood: timber, charcoal, pulp, paper and wooden furniture. Printed books and newspapers were removed in December 2025.
Only products listed by customs (HS) code in the regulation’s Annex I are covered. A product that contains a covered commodity but is not on the list, such as a leather handbag, biodiesel or cosmetics, is out of scope. Our guide to EUDR regulations has the full list.
When the EUDR Applies and What It Means for Companies
The EUDR has been in force since June 29, 2023, and applies from December 30, 2026. Individuals and micro and small companies established by December 31, 2024 have until June 30, 2027, except for timber products already covered by the EU Timber Regulation. The Commission’s simplification review of May 4, 2026 proposed no changes to the regulation, so these dates stand.
Operators are the companies that first place a covered product on the EU market or export it. They carry out due diligence and file the statement. Downstream operators and traders do no due diligence and keep supplier and customer records for five years. When a company outside the EU places a product on the EU market, the first EU company that makes it available is treated as the operator.
Each member state sets penalties, and for companies the maximum fine must be at least 4% of EU-wide annual turnover. Roles, deadlines, due diligence, country risk and penalties are covered in full in our EUDR regulations guide.
EUDR Guides by Topic
- Supply Chain Traceability for EUDR: building traceability that meets the geolocation and record-keeping rules.
- Palm Oil Traceability: tracing palm oil from the plantation to the mill and refinery.
- EUDR Software: How to Choose: what to look for in compliance tools.
- Deforestation Due Diligence: setting up due diligence systems for deforestation risk.
- TNFD and EUDR: reusing EUDR evidence in a nature disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EUDR stand for?
EUDR stands for the EU Deforestation Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115. It bars covered products from the EU market unless they are deforestation-free, legally produced and covered by a due diligence statement.
Is the EUDR currently in effect?
The EUDR has been in force since June 29, 2023, and its obligations on companies apply from December 30, 2026. Individuals and micro and small companies established by December 31, 2024 have until June 30, 2027. The Commission’s May 2026 review proposed no changes to these dates.
Which products are covered by the EUDR?
Seven commodities (cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soy and wood) and the products made from them that are listed in the regulation’s Annex I, such as chocolate, beef, furniture, paper and tires. Leather was removed in September 2026, and instant coffee is added from December 30, 2027.
What happens if I don’t comply with EUDR?
Each member state sets the penalties. They must include fines with a maximum of at least 4% of EU-wide annual turnover for companies, confiscation of products and revenues, exclusion from public contracts and funding for up to 12 months, and temporary trading bans for serious or repeated breaches. Authorities can also order non-compliant products to be withdrawn or recalled.
