Sustainability Consultant Charles Getter of Source Intelligence recently joined LiveEO for a discussion on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The conversation covered how the regulation is reshaping global supply chains, creating new compliance challenges, and increasing the need for advanced due diligence technology.
The EUDR is more than another environmental policy. It’s a major shift in how companies source, verify, and report on key commodities, with significant penalties for non-compliance. The regulation repeals the EU Timber Regulation and expands its scope to address the leading cause of deforestation: agricultural expansion. According to the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2020 Remote Sensing Survey, agricultural expansion—including crops like soy, palm oil, and rubber—is responsible for almost 90% of global deforestation.
In the interview, Getter shares insights on the EUDR’s impact, the most pressing compliance challenges, and how technology can help companies meet evolving due diligence requirements. Watch the full discussion below to learn how these strategies can help protect your supply chain.
Commodities affected by the EUDR
Under the EUDR, companies (operators and traders) must ensure that these seven commodities are legally sourced and do not contribute to deforestation:
- Cattle
- Cocoa
- Coffee
- Palm Oil
- Rubber
- Soy
- Timber
The regulation also applies to many derived products containing these commodities. For example, cocoa in chocolate products is in scope, while palm oil in finished goods may not be. This creates complexity and confusion for businesses.
EUDR compliance challenges at a glance
EUDR compliance challenges include:
- Proving zero deforestation for all in-scope commodities
- Collecting accurate geolocation data from suppliers
- Tracing commodities across complex, multi-tier supply chains
- Navigating differing legal requirements in each country of production
- Managing and storing high volumes of due diligence documentation
Complying with the EUDR requires companies to have complete visibility into their supply chains, consistent supplier engagement, and robust systems for tracking and verifying data. This can be time-consuming and resource-intensive without the right tools.
Why EUDR compliance is so complex
Meeting EUDR due diligence requirements will not be simple. Businesses must prove legality and zero deforestation, often across thousands of farms and suppliers. This means:
- Detailed traceability from farm to point of trade
- Geolocation data for every plot of land
- Verification against multiple countries’ laws
Global supply chains make this difficult. Commodities often pass through several countries, each with different definitions of legal sourcing. This complexity increases the risk of errors and penalties.
The regulation is also data-intensive. Tracking and verifying supplier information, certifications, and deforestation risk assessments requires a level of visibility that most companies don’t currently have.
“The EUDR’s expanded scope will surprise many businesses,” says Getter. “Without the right tools, proving zero deforestation is extremely difficult.”
Best practices for strengthening your EUDR due diligence process
While every supply chain is different, a few steps can help companies prepare more effectively:- Use compliance software to automate your due diligence process, supplier engagement, and documentation management.
- Review Annex 1 of the EUDR to confirm exactly which commodities and derivatives fall in scope.
- Leverage certifications like FSC Timber and RSPO to support due diligence evidence.
- Act early — building data visibility now makes meeting compliance requirements far less resource-intensive.
How technology streamlines EUDR compliance
Technology can close the gap between regulatory requirements and operational capabilities. Satellite imagery, geolocation mapping, and automation allow companies to verify sourcing and maintain audit-ready records with minimal manual effort.
With the right software, businesses can:
- Automate supplier outreach and documentation requests
- Cross-check commodity origin data against legal requirements in each country of production
- Monitor deforestation risk in near real time
- Store all due diligence evidence in a single, secure platform
By adopting the right technology, businesses can simplify their due diligence process, reduce the risk of non-compliance, and gain the visibility needed to meet EUDR requirements. These capabilities not only make complying with the EUDR more achievable but also strengthen your due diligence process for other global deforestation regulations.
How our EUDR due diligence solution simplifies compliance
Our EUDR solution simplifies due diligence by centralizing and automating the complex traceability and verification steps required under the EUDR and other global deforestation regulations.
With our platform, you can:
- Automate workflows – From commodity tracing to supplier engagement, every step is streamlined.
- Run automated risk assessments – Identify potential deforestation risks instantly and act before they escalate.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation – Store all compliance records in one secure, accessible platform.
- Gain complete supply chain visibility – Map multi-tier suppliers to ensure transparency and meet compliance requirements.
By combining advanced technology with intuitive design, our EUDR solution helps you:
- Reduce internal resource burdens
- Increase operational efficiency with centralized data
- Proactively manage regulatory risk
- Confidently meet EUDR and other deforestation compliance requirements
