EUDR Scope: Does the New Regulation Apply to Your Business?

Published
, 15 minute read

Quick summary: Wondering if the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to your business? Learn about the commodities covered, affected industries, and compliance requirements to ensure your supply chain remains deforestation-free and EU market-ready.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to businesses that import or export commodities like soy, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, wood, rubber, or beef into the EU market. If your company places these products on the EU market or exports them from the EU, you must comply with due diligence requirements, including geolocation mapping and deforestation-free verification. Products listed in Annex I of the regulation determine whether your business is subject to compliance. 

According to WRI, almost 90% of the world’s forest loss is driven by the expansion of agriculture, thanks to growing consumer demand for commodities like coffee, cocoa, beef, soy, palm oil and timber. 

Many businesses assume they are already compliant because they have sustainability certifications or ethical sourcing policies in place. Unfortunately, that’s not enough. The EUDR requires detailed proof that your products come from deforestation-free sources, backed by geo-mapped farm data and full supply chain transparency. 

So, does EUDR apply to your business? Let’s break it down.  

Key Takeaways 

  • The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies to key commodities such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soy, and wood, as well as derived products like leather, chocolate, palm oil, and plywood.  
  • To comply, companies must ensure products are not linked to deforestation after December 31, 2020, are legally produced in the country of origin, and are traceable through precise geolocation data for all relevant land plots.  
  • They must also perform documented risk assessments and take mitigation actions where necessary before placing goods on the EU market.  
  • Common compliance mistakes include incomplete geolocation data, poor documentation, and neglecting small or complex supplier chains. These can be avoided by using robust traceability tools, engaging proactively with suppliers, and maintaining audit-ready records. 
  • Digital traceability solutions simplify compliance by automating data capture, mapping supply chains, identifying risks, and ensuring a reliable digital audit trail—making them invaluable for AEOs navigating the EUDR landscape. 

Which Products Fall Under the EUDR Scope? 

The EUDR covers seven key commodities: soy, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, wood, rubber, and beef—along with their derived products listed in Annex I. Only products made from or containing these commodities are subject to the regulation. 

Cocoa? Yes, EUDR applies! 

If you’re sourcing or selling cocoa or chocolate products, you must prove that your supply chain is deforestation-free. That means tracking cocoa farms, ensuring responsible land use, and providing geo-location data for every batch. 

Palm Oil? Covered under EUDR! 

Palm oil has been a major driver of deforestation, so it’s no surprise that EUDR is cracking down. Whether it’s in food, cosmetics, or biofuels, businesses need to provide traceability from plantation to product—or risk losing EU market access. 

Coffee? Must comply! 

Your morning cup of coffee now comes with a compliance requirement. Coffee companies must show proof that their beans weren’t grown on deforested land. Expect stricter supplier audits, satellite monitoring, and digital traceability mandates. 

Timber & Wood Products? Also regulated! 

If you’re importing furniture, paper, or wooden goods, you’ll need to prove that your raw materials come from legal, sustainable sources—no illegal logging allowed! 

Soy, Rubber, and Cattle? You’re on the list too! 

If your business deals with soy for animal feed, rubber for manufacturing, or cattle for beef & leather, EUDR requires you to demonstrate a deforestation-free supply chain. 

 If your business touches any of these commodities, you need a solid traceability strategy—or you could face compliance risks, rejected shipments, and fines in the EU market. 

Who Must Comply with the EUDR? 

The EUDR defines ‘operator’ as any natural or legal person engaged in a commercial activity who places relevant products on the market or exports them. Additionally, ‘traders’ are also required to comply with the Regulation. Traders are individuals or entities in the supply chain, other than operators, who make relevant products available on the market during their commercial activities. 

The Regulation applies to both large companies and SMEs. However, SMEs are granted an extended deadline until 30 June 2026 to meet their obligations, and they will have simplified requirements compared to larger entities. 

The specific list of products affected by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is detailed in Annex I. Products not listed in Annex I are exempt from the Regulation’s requirements, even if they contain commodities covered by the Regulation. For example, soap, even if it contains palm oil, is not subject to the Regulation. Conversely, products listed in Annex I are only regulated if they contain or are made from the specified commodities. The prefix “ex” before an HS code in Annex I indicates that the product described is an “extract” from all items classified under that HS code. For example, HS code 9401 may cover various products, but only wooden seats are regulated. Products with HS codes not listed in Annex I, such as cars with leather seats or natural rubber tires, are also exempt, despite containing components derived from regulated commodities. 

Confused about what products fall under EUDR? 

Understand Annex I, commodity thresholds, and how to decode HSN classifications. 
Learn how to ensure your product listings are audit-ready and compliant. 

Read our detailed blogs on  

HSN codes  

EUDR compliance 

How should businesses prepare for the impacts of the EUDR Scope? 

To prepare for the EUDR, businesses must map their supply chains, collect geolocation data, and verify product origin for deforestation-free compliance. Early adoption of traceability systems and due diligence workflows is critical to avoid penalties and ensure EU market access. 

Cocoa & Chocolate Industry 

Who’s Affected? 

  • Chocolate manufacturers (Mars, Nestlé, Ferrero) 
  • Cocoa traders & exporters 
  • Confectionery brands selling in the EU 

What You Need to Do: 

  • Trace every cocoa bean back to its farm with geo-tagging. 
  •  Ensure suppliers aren’t linked to deforested land post-2020. 
  • Digitally store proof of deforestation-free sourcing for audits. 

Coffee Industry 

Who’s Affected? 

  • Coffee traders & cooperatives exporting to the EU 
  • Retailers selling EU-bound coffee products 

What You Need to Do: 

  • Conduct farm-level risk assessments to ensure no deforestation occurred 
  • Provide geo-location data for every sourced coffee batch. 
  •  Digitize compliance records for easy reporting & EU audits. 

Palm Oil Industry 

Who’s Affected? 

  • Palm oil refiners & processors 
  • Food & cosmetic brands using palm oil (Unilever, L’Oréal) 
  • Biofuel producers exporting to the EU 

What You Need to Do: 

  • Map supply chains and use satellite monitoring to detect land-use changes. 
  • Work only with certified sustainable plantations. 
  •  Automate traceability & compliance reporting to reduce paperwork. 

Soy Industry (Animal Feed & Processed Foods) 

Who’s Affected? 

  • Agribusinesses exporting soy to the EU 
  • Animal feed manufacturers & livestock farms 
  • Food companies using soy-based ingredients 

What You Need to Do: 

  • Verify that soy is not sourced from deforested areas. 
  •  Conduct supplier audits & risk assessments. 
  • Digitally track shipments and link them to verified sustainable farms. 

Cattle & Beef Industry 

Who’s Affected? 

  • Beef producers & exporters 
  • Leather manufacturers supplying fashion brands 
  • Food companies importing beef-based products 

What You Need to Do: 

  • Trace cattle back to deforestation-free farms with clear documentation 
  • Maintain digital records of land-use and grazing areas. 
  •  Work with verified suppliers that provide geo-tagged animal records. 

Timber & Wood Products Industry 

Who’s Affected? 

  • Paper & furniture manufacturers (IKEA, Smurfit Kappa) 
  • Timber exporters & construction material suppliers 
  • Home decor brands using wood-based products 

What You Need to Do: 

  • Implement batch-level traceability for all timber products. 
  • Obtain certifications proving sustainable sourcing. 
  •  Provide real-time compliance reports for EU import checks. 

Want to simplify compliance? See how our platform automates EUDR traceability!

Book a Free Consultation »

What Are the EUDR Due Diligence Requirements? 

EUDR due diligence requires businesses to prove products are deforestation-free by collecting geolocation data, assessing risk, and submitting a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) via the EU TRACES system. Compliance applies before placing goods on the EU market. 

So, what exactly does compliance look like?  

1️. Supply Chain Due Diligence → Risk Assessments & Supplier Verification 

  • You must verify your suppliers to ensure they are sourcing from deforestation-free areas. 
  •  Businesses need to conduct risk assessments to identify high-risk sourcing regions. 
  •  All due diligence data must be recorded and made available for regulatory audits. 

Without proper verification, your supply chain could be flagged as high-risk, making it difficult to sell in EU markets. 

2️. Geolocation & Farm Mapping → Proof That Sourcing Areas Are Deforestation-Free 

  • Businesses must collect GPS coordinates of all farms where raw materials are grown. 
  • Geospatial data and satellite monitoring are needed to confirm compliance. 
  • Authorities will cross-check land use history to ensure no deforestation after December 31, 2020. 

Without geolocation data, you can’t prove compliance—no proof, no access to EU markets. 

3️. Automated Compliance Reporting → Digital Records for Audits 

  • Companies must generate and submit digital reports proving compliance with EUDR. 
  •  All records should be tamper-proof and stored securely for regulatory verification. 
  •  Integration with EU Information Systems (EU-IS) ensures faster approvals. 

4️. End-to-End Traceability → Linking Raw Materials to Finished Products 

  • Every batch of raw materials must be tracked from farm to final product 
  • Blockchain-powered traceability ensures authenticity and prevents fraud. 
  • Brands and retailers must prove that their products are made with sustainable, deforestation-free ingredients. 

Without full traceability, businesses risk supply chain disruptions and non-compliance penalties. 

Common EUDR Compliance Mistakes & How to Avoid Them 

EUDR compliance is more than just a checkbox—it’s a proof-based requirement that demands accurate, verifiable data on your supply chain. Many businesses assume they are compliant, only to face shipment delays, penalties, or loss of EU market access due to common mistakes. Let’s break down the biggest compliance pitfalls—and how you can avoid them. 

Mistake #1: Relying on Certifications Alone 

Many businesses assume that Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or Organic certifications are enough for EUDR compliance. Unfortunately, they aren’t. 

✔ What EUDR Actually Requires: 

  • Geo-mapped farm locations to prove deforestation-free sourcing 
  •  Digital land-use records going back to 2020 
  •  Verified risk assessments, not just sustainability labels 

Ensure your suppliers provide GPS coordinates of farms and integrate digital traceability tools to store and verify this data. 

Mistake #2: Limited Supplier Visibility 

If you don’t know exactly where your raw materials come from, you’re at risk of non-compliance. Many businesses rely on middlemen, traders, or indirect suppliers, making it harder to track sourcing regions. 

✔ What EUDR Actually Requires: 

  • A direct line of traceability from farm to final product 
  •  Full supplier mapping to track risks in high-deforestation zones 
  •  Real-time data updates to ensure compliance continuity 

Use blockchain-powered traceability to connect with suppliers and ensure full visibility into your sourcing network. 

A Nigerian firm leveraged TraceX’s solutions to enhance data accuracy, ensure EUDR compliance, and improve operational efficiency, reinforcing their commitment to quality and sustainable sourcing. 

Ready to streamline compliance? 

Mistake #3: Manual Record-Keeping 

Still using paper records and spreadsheets? These outdated methods slow down audits, increase errors, and make verification difficult. 

✔ What EUDR Actually Requires: 

  • Automated compliance reporting for faster regulatory submissions 
  • Tamper-proof digital records for sourcing verification 
  •  Real-time audit readiness with instant access to land-use data 

Switch to digital compliance dashboards that automatically track and store sourcing data, making audits quick and painless. 

Mistake #4: Unverified Risk Assessments 

Many companies rely on self-reported supplier data, which can be inaccurate or incomplete. Without satellite monitoring and independent verification, you might unknowingly be sourcing from deforested land. 

✔ What EUDR Actually Requires: 

  •  Satellite imagery & geospatial tracking to monitor land-use changes 
  •  AI-powered risk assessments to detect high-risk sourcing areas 
  •  Third-party verification to ensure compliance accuracy 

Integrate satellite-based compliance tools that provide real-time land-use insights, preventing non-compliant sourcing. 

See it in Action 

How Digital Traceability Simplifies EUDR Compliance  

Navigating EUDR compliance can be complex, but with TraceX’s EUDR compliance platform, businesses can automate, verify, and streamline their compliance processes—ensuring smooth exports to the EU. Here’s how our blockchain-powered traceability system makes EUDR compliance seamless and stress-free. 

Step 1: Farm-Level Geolocation & Digital Mapping 

EUDR requires proof that your raw materials come from deforestation-free land. Many businesses struggle with collecting, storing, and verifying this data. 

With TraceX: 

  • GPS-based farm mapping provides geo-tagged proof of land use. 
  •  Satellite imagery & remote sensing track deforestation risks in real-time 
  • Automated risk assessment flags non-compliant suppliers before sourcing. 

Instant geo-verification ensures that your sourcing meets EUDR regulations—without the manual headaches

Step 2: Supplier Onboarding & Documentation Validation 

EUDR mandates full traceability across your supply chain, including supplier identity, land legality, and documentation. Manual processes are error-prone and time-consuming. 

With TraceX: 

• Digital supplier onboarding with built-in KYC and certification uploads 
• Localized document collection and language support for regional compliance 
• Unified supplier profiles linked to farm data, audit history, and sourcing records 

Centralized onboarding creates a verifiable chain of custody—from farm to exporter—ensuring every supplier meets EUDR standards

Step 3: AI-Based Risk Assessment & Mitigation 

Risk analysis under EUDR must account for country benchmarks, land history, and supplier behavior. Businesses often lack scalable tools to assess or act on these risks. 

With TraceX: 

• AI-driven scoring using satellite data, historical deforestation trends, and location benchmarks 
• Real-time alerts for “high-risk” sources as per EU classification 
• Smart mitigation suggestions like alternate sourcing, field audits, or geo-validation 

Automated risk detection enables faster, smarter decision-making—reducing exposure and ensuring timely, compliant sourcing. 

Step 4: Blockchain-Powered End-to-End Traceability 

EUDR mandates a clear chain of custody, linking raw materials to finished goods. Traditional tracking methods often result in data gaps, errors, and inefficiencies. 

With TraceX: 

  •  Immutable blockchain records create a tamper-proof audit trail. 
  •  Batch-level tracking connects raw materials with final exports. 
  •  QR code-enabled traceability ensures stakeholders can verify sourcing history. 

Your entire supply chain is digitally documented, verifiable, and accessible in real-time for easy audits. 

Step 5: Automated Compliance Reporting & Due Diligence 

Without real-time digital records, businesses struggle to submit Due Diligence Statements (DDS) and meet compliance deadlines. 

With TraceX: 

  •  Pre-built compliance dashboards generate audit-ready reports in minutes 
  • Seamless integration with the EU-IS system automates DDS submissions. 
  • Automated alerts & notifications ensure you stay ahead of regulatory changes. 

Reduce manual paperwork, eliminate reporting delays, and maintain 24/7 audit readiness. 

Step 6: Seamless Integration with Existing ERP Systems 

Many companies operate on complex, legacy ERP systems (SAP S/4 HANA, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics) for inventory, supplier, and procurement management, creating integration challenges. 

With TraceX: 

  • Plug-and-play API integrations connect with your existing ERP, MES, and supplier portals without disrupting workflows. 
  • Real-time data syncing ensures up-to-date supplier and batch information across all systems. 
  •  Instant compliance status updates directly within the ERP for procurement and decision-making teams. 

One unified view across your existing systems, ensuring compliance tracking doesn’t disrupt daily operations.

Don’t let compliance slow you down

See how TraceX makes EUDR compliance simple, fast, and risk-free!

Book a Free Demo »

EUDR: Driving Sustainable Transformation in Global Supply Chains 

The EU Deforestation Regulation represents a significant step towards addressing global deforestation and promoting sustainable practices within supply chains. By understanding the EUDR scope and implementing effective compliance strategies, businesses can contribute to environmental conservation, enhance their market position, and navigate the complexities of the regulation. 

As the EUDR continues to shape the landscape of global trade and sustainability, companies must embrace transparency, invest in technology, and collaborate with stakeholders to achieve meaningful impact. The path to compliance may present challenges, but it also offers opportunities for growth, innovation, and positive change in the fight against deforestation. 

Discover how to stay EUDR-compliant with confidence: 

Stay compliant, audit-ready, and future-proof—across your entire supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)


What types of businesses are affected by EUDR? 

EUDR applies to companies importing, exporting, or trading forest-risk commodities like soy, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, rubber, beef, and wood within the EU market. 

Does EUDR only impact large corporations, or does it apply to small businesses too? 

Both large and small businesses must comply, with enforcement dates set for December 30, 2025 (large companies) and June 30, 2026 (small enterprises). 

How can businesses determine if their supply chains comply with EUDR?

Companies must conduct due diligence, trace product origins using geolocation data, and ensure deforestation-free sourcing through verified documentation and traceability platforms. 

Start using TraceX
Transparency, Trust, & Success for your Climate Journey.
Get the demo

Get your free trial

Request for a Demo Session

Download your EUDR Scope: Does the New Regulation Apply to Your Business? here

Download your EUDR Scope: Does the New Regulation Apply to Your Business? here

Download your EUDR Scope: Does the New Regulation Apply to Your Business? here

[hubspot type=form portal=8343454 id=304874ea-d4e0-4653-9825-707360746edb]
[hubspot type=form portal=8343454 id=b8321ac0-687a-4075-8035-ce57dd47662a]
food traceability, food supply chain

Please leave your details with us and we will connect with you for relevant positions.

[hubspot type=form portal=8343454 id=e6eb5c02-8b9e-4194-85cc-7fe3f41fe0f4]
food traceability, food supply chain

Please fill the form for all Media Enquiries, we will contact you shortly.

[hubspot type=form portal=8343454 id=a77c8d9d-0f99-4aba-9ea6-3b5c5d2f53dd]
food traceability, food supply chain

Kindly fill the form and our Partnership team will get in touch with you!

[hubspot type=form portal=8343454 id=b8cad09c-2e22-404d-acd4-659b965205ec]