The EUDR is not a generic certificate. It requires due-diligence and responsibility records tied to relevant commodities and products. A sound preparation file starts by checking Annex I, then links the product, country of production, plots of land, supply-chain documents and the proposed statement.

This page is a preparation and communication reference. It does not determine whether a company or product complies with the EUDR and does not replace the applicable regulation, competent-authority, customs or buyer review. “Documents collected” or “under review” must not be presented as approval or certification.

1. Confirm scope and the responsible roles

The EUDR covers seven relevant commodities associated with deforestation and forest degradation: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, natural rubber, soya and wood, together with relevant derived products listed in Annex I. Applicability cannot be decided from a brand or marketing name alone; check the product description, HS code, composition and the route by which the product is placed on the EU market or exported.

  • Identify the economic operator, first placer, exporter, downstream operator or trader and the role each entity actually performs.
  • Record the country of production, production date or time range and every relevant plot of land; cattle products require attention to the relevant establishments.
  • Keep EUDR records separate from PPWR, CBAM, REACH and voluntary certification files. Another certificate may provide context, but it does not automatically replace EUDR information.

2. What the due-diligence file must establish

The file should support three questions under the EUDR framework: whether the product is deforestation-free and free from the relevant forest degradation, whether it was produced in accordance with relevant legislation in the country of production, and whether an applicable due-diligence or simplified declaration is available. The conclusion must be based on product-specific and general information, with risk mitigation where necessary, rather than on a generic certificate.

Useful fields: product description and HS code, quantity and unit, country of production, production date or time range, plot geolocation, supplier and transaction records, relevant legality evidence, risk assessment and mitigation, statement reference, version and responsible reviewer.

Geolocation should correspond to the actual production plots. Under the applicable provisions, coordinates generally require at least six decimal digits; for non-cattle plots larger than four hectares, sufficient points are normally needed to describe the perimeter. A factory, port or supplier-office address is not a substitute for the production plot.

3. Build a product-to-supply-chain evidence map

  1. Product layer: index the SKU, description, HS code, quantity, composition and relevant-commodity mapping; keep distinct batches or origins distinguishable.
  2. Origin layer: retain the country, plot or establishment location, production date or time range and records that explain the source.
  3. Legality layer: organize evidence for land-use, environmental, forest, third-party, labour, human-rights, FPIC, tax, anti-corruption, trade and customs matters as relevant to the production situation.
  4. Risk layer: retain risk indicators, sources, exceptions, mitigation and review history. If the evidence does not support negligible risk, do not describe the file as risk-free.
  5. Statement layer: cross-reference the due-diligence or simplified declaration, the responsible entity, the product record and the transaction batch, preserving the submitted reference and version.

4. Keep preparation language separate from outcomes

Application dates and declaration duties can depend on company size, prior EUTR status, product route and the latest amending text. The European Commission currently states that the EUDR applies from 30 December 2026 to large and medium operators, from 30 June 2027 to most micro and small operators, and from 30 December 2026 to micro and small operators already covered by the EUTR. Confirm the current legal text and official guidance for the actual case.

  • Appropriate wording: an index has been prepared by product, plot and transaction batch, and the fields are being matched to supply-chain records.
  • Avoid: guaranteed customs clearance, guaranteed listing acceptance, zero-risk claims, fixed completion promises, or treating FSC, PEFC or another scheme certificate as an EUDR substitute.
  • Separate legal requirements, the company’s internal preparation status, buyer-specific requirements and matters still awaiting authority or counterparty confirmation.

5. A human review order before submission

  1. Check the product, HS code, composition and route against Annex I.
  2. Match supplier, invoice, transport, country, plot location and production date or time range for each batch.
  3. Confirm that geolocation points to production plots, covers all relevant origins and uses the format required by the applicable provision.
  4. Index legality evidence, risk assessment, mitigation and statement reference together.
  5. Have the responsible entity review the submission, version and retention record; public copy should describe only evidence-backed status.

Sources and version note

This reference is based on Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, European Commission EUDR materials and implementation guidance, and the latest consolidated EUR-Lex text reviewed for this draft. The regulation, annexes, information system and application dates may change; 绿色方舟（深圳）认证有限公司 recommends checking the latest official text, product scope, company size and transaction role before filing or making an external claim.