If you haven’t already heard of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), then you can probably stop reading as this most likely will have nothing to do with you or your business.
EUDR has a pretty far reaching, significant impact on global supply chains and businesses importing certain products into the EU. There’s been some talk of a delay but whether the implementation date falls in 2025 or 2026, or even 2027, one thing is clear for us: to continue ensuring our EUDR solution is your one stop shop for EUDR compliance.
Our solution works for both downstream and upstream actors - from cooperatives, manufacturers, exporters, to downstream CPG leaders, who are all asking the same questions:
What does the EUDR compliance checklist look like in practice?
How do I gather and verify all the data I’ll need?
What happens if deadlines shift, does my preparation change?
In the simplest way possible, this article lays out a step-by-step guide to EUDR compliance, while also showing how we turn those steps into automated, audit-ready processes.
What Is the EUDR and Why Does It Matter?
The European Union Deforestation Regulation requires that companies importing or trading high-risk commodities, such as coffee, cocoa, soy, cattle, palm oil, rubber, and timber, prove that their products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation.
EUDR compliance means:
Traceability: mapping products back to the plot or farm of origin.
Due Diligence Systems (DDS): storing, validating, and submitting compliance evidence.
Risk assessment & mitigation: identifying non-compliance risks (e.g., invalid geolocation data, incomplete DDS references) and resolving them before goods enter the EU market.
👉 The takeaway: EUDR is not optional and companies will need to implement processes that allow them to prepare be prepared for when the regulations steps into force.
Importers and traders selling covered commodities in the EU.
Farmers and producers in exporting countries (Brazil, Ghana, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc.).
Manufacturers and retailers handling forest-risk raw materials.
Even with talk of a possible EUDR delay, the scope and requirements remain unchanged. Now is the perfect time to start filling existing compliance gaps and building systems that are proactive vs reactive.
List all commodities and finished products covered under EUDR.
Map direct and indirect suppliers.
Highlight sourcing regions linked to deforestation risks.
👉 With farmer connect & Agridence, gain batch-level traceability across multi-tier supply chains, ensuring no blind spots.
Compliance depends on complete and verifiable data:
Geolocation files for farms/plots.
Valid DDS references.
Supplier documentation and certifications.
👉 Our platform integrates directly with ERP systems, supplier portals, and multiple data sources automating data collection and eliminating manual re-entry.
+ Our on-ground solution also allows for direct plot mapping right at the source.
A big part to EUDR compliance requires identifying risk factors such as:
Deforestation & Legality.
Invalid DDS references.
Geolocation files that fail risk thresholds.
Missing supplier information.
👉 Our solution automatically check for deforestation & legality with uploaded geolocations.
👉 Gateway Check flags risks proactively giving companies time to fix issues before goods are received.
Risk management must be audit-ready:
Mitigation actions logged and documented.
Evidence easily retrievable for audits.
Audit Game-changers:
✨ Attach optional documentation like sustainability certificates and by doing so, keep everything in one place for future audit requirements
✨ Easily export documents, such DDSs, GeoJSON files, or any other linked documents for downstream communication.
✨Role based access: create an “auditor” role and provide them access to all necessary documents.
Every shipment of an impacted commodity into the EU requires a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) that is submitted through EU TRACES. What you should make sure of:
You have a solution in place that can generate your DDSs, submit directly to EU TRACES, and automatically receive back DDS status (accepted, failed, withdrawn..)
You’re able to attach required documentation and any other supporting ESG documentation.
Audit trails are maintained for at least 5 years.
📌 Automating DDS creation reduces errors and saves significant administrative time → With farmer connect x Agridence, your entire EUDR process is streamlined and automated. You can also amend/withdraw DDS submissions within 72 hours directly from the farmer connect UI.
We’ve seen companies struggle with:
Manual, spreadsheet-based compliance workflows.
Lack of supplier engagement or missing data.
Misaligned records between ERP, suppliers, and DDS submissions.
Leaving preparation too late.
👉 The solution? Automation + supplier-first engagement + early testing.
The companies winning once EUDR steps into force, will be those that:
Start early: mapping supply chains and gathering geolocation data now.
Engage suppliers: onboarding them into compliance systems proactively.
Think beyond EUDR: preparing for upcoming regulations like the PPWR, ESPR, or the Battery Regulation.
If you're looking to shape a solution that fits your specific needs for any of these regulations, let’s connect:
👉 Don’t wait for deadlines. Join us at the starting line and shape the future of compliance.
EUDR compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties. It’s about building traceable, sustainable, and trustworthy supply chains.
Let’s shape the industry and push for more streamlined, automated, and audit-ready workflows, turning a regulatory burden into a competitive advantage.