EUDR: The Road Ahead
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to ensure that certain raw materials and products made from them will no longer be associated with deforestation or forest degradation when brought to the EU market or exported from it - generally a significant and necessary step towards sustainable supply chains.
The originally planned start date of December 30, 2024, has already been postponed by one year to December 30, 2025, because many details regarding the practical application of the regulation were still unclear a year ago. Recently, the EU Commission has proposed another one-year delay. The reason for this postponement is that the EU information system is not yet ready to process the expected volume of due diligence statements.
Additionally, challenges in applicability remain. Both the IT system planned by the EU and the entire process of submitting due diligence statements involve significant bureaucratic and organizational effort for all parties. Announced simplifications have not yet proven effective in practice. Furthermore, the currently published FAQs and guidelines from the EU Commission do not provide reliable legal certainty for companies.
Despite these challenges, we have acted early. For over two years, we have been working intensively to meet all requirements to offer our customers EUDR-compliant products from the start. Our goal is to be fully "EUDR-ready" as soon as the EU has established the corresponding framework conditions.
The postponement has not yet been decided. Consultations are now underway among the EU Commission, the European Council, and the EU Parliament. Until then, we continue to maintain close communication with our suppliers, customers, and relevant associations to closely monitor developments surrounding the EUDR and respond accordingly.
Today, we already offer our customers a wide range of sustainability-certified palm-based products. Together with our partners, we have long been committed to continuously improving sustainability in the palm oil sector - as outlined in our Palm Oil Sourcing Policy.
We remain dedicated - to more sustainability and transparent supply chains.
