Comparing the EU Deforestation Regulation and the EU Timber Regulation

Operators and traders who place certain goods on the European Union (EU) market—or export from it—must be ready to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by December 30, 2024. 

Understanding how the EUDR differs from the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) is key to meeting the regulation’s requirements for due diligence, traceability, and data management. Both aim to reduce deforestation and promote sustainable trade, but they differ significantly in scope, traceability standards, and compliance processes. 

Core objectives of the EUDR

The EUDR is designed to prevent products placed on or exported from the EU market from contributing to deforestation and forest degradation. 

It covers seven commodities that must be: 

• Deforestation-free 
• Legally sourced 
• Compliant with human rights, labor rights, and anti-corruption laws 

Read our EUDR overview for a deeper dive into the regulation’s scope and requirements. 

Is the EUDR replacing the EUTR?

Yes. The EUDR repealed and replaced the EUTR on June 29, 2023. 

EUDR compliance deadlines

• December 30, 2025: Deadline for operators and traders 
• June 30, 2026: Extended deadline for micro and small enterprises 

Who does this apply to?

• Operators: Any person or business that places products (including imports) on the EU market or exports them during commercial activity. This also includes companies that process any of the seven commodities into other products.
   
  • Example: A company imports cocoa butter, and another uses it to produce chocolate for the EU market. Both are operators. 
• Non-SME Traders: Businesses that are not operators but sell products containing in-scope commodities, such as large supermarkets or retail chains. 

Both operators and non-SME traders face the same compliance and reporting obligations under the EUDR. 

Key differences between the EUDR and EUTR 

If you’re wondering “What are the main compliance changes between the EUTR and EUDR?” the answer comes down to scope of products, traceability standards, and due diligence requirements. 

What products are covered under the EUTR vs. EUDR? 

EUTR: Applied only to timber and timber products, with a focus on preventing illegal logging and ensuring legal harvesting.

EUDR: Expands to seven commodities linked to deforestation regulations — timber, beef, rubber, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, and soy — plus certain wood products and derivatives (e.g., chocolate, leather, furniture). 

How does traceability differ between the EUTR and EUDR? 

EUTR: Required traders to maintain supplier and customer records but stopped short of mandating full traceability or proof of deforestation-free sourcing. 

EUDR: Requires geolocation traceability for where commodities were produced, with clear evidence that they are deforestation-free. An EU information system will provide country-level risk ratings and public access to due diligence statements. 

What due diligence is required under the EUTR vs. EUDR? 

EUTR: Companies needed a due diligence system to confirm legal harvesting of timber. Exemptions were allowed for some wood products. 

EUDR: Requires a strict three-step due diligence process for all in-scope commodities: 

• Collect commodity and production data 
• Conduct risk assessments for deforestation or illegality 
• Mitigate risks before placing products on the EU market

Note: A due diligence statement must also be submitted to EU TRACES to confirm compliance. 

How Source Intelligence supports EUDR due diligence

Meeting the due diligence requirements of the EUDR is not just about checking boxes — it demands full visibility into your supply chain, reliable risk assessments, and robust due diligence systems that can prove compliance across multiple commodities and wood products. Manual approaches often leave gaps that expose companies to compliance risks, penalties, and reputational damage. 

Our solution: Source Intelligence offers a purpose-built, SaaS-driven EUDR platform that ensures a seamless, end-to-end due diligence flow—from supplier engagement to risk mitigation to reporting—without compromising agility or accuracy. 

• Centralize supply chain data across all in-scope commodities and wood‑based products 
• Trace products back to origin using geolocation and satellite-based insights to confirm they are deforestation-free 
• Conduct and document standardized risk assessments that align with EUDR compliance 
• Build and maintain an auditable due diligence system in one secure platform 
• Directly submit due diligence statements via our EU TRACES integration, with Source Intelligence acting as your authorized representative 

Whether you manage your program via our intuitive platform or choose our managed services, Source Intelligence gives you the tools, data, and infrastructure to meet EUDR obligations confidently—without disrupting your operations or user experience. 

Don’t wait—streamline your EUDR compliance with a scalable, future-ready solution.