EUDR: triggering systemic changes
15 April 2026
On 15 April, Fern hosted a webinar exploring the seismic shifts already achieved by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), including improvements to transparency and traceability in forest risk commodity Supply Chains.
Participants heard that such action helps both reduce deforestation and tackle its drivers such as unclear and insecure land tenure.
Speakers came from the European Forest Institute (EFI), the European Commission, industry, and ministries in Paraguay and Spain.
EFI outlined the experience of five supply chains from eight countries which showed that the EUDR has already improved:
- Institutional coordination: Governments have established new task forces and coordination mechanisms to address EUDR requirements, often encouraging multiple ministries and sector bodies to work together.
- Traceability and data systems: Most countries studied are reviewing and adapting national registration, traceability, mapping, and data systems to meet EUDR information requirements. These systems can help generate geolocation, legality, and deforestation risk information for EU-bound exports.
- Legal assessments: All countries have undertaken regulatory reviews to clarify the national laws applicable to commodity production and trade, that are relevant to EUDR requirements. This has improved legal clarity for producers and buyers, and informed policy discussions and national reform processes.
- Smallholder inclusion: Efforts to register farmers, map plots, and build capacity are underway across all countries, although the risk of exclusion persists. In less centralised sectors, pilot projects and partner support plays a critical role. In more centralised and organised sectors, national systems already cover a large share of producers, making it easier to generate the geolocation and traceability information required to comply with the EUDR.
- Private sector engagement: The private sector is improving internal traceability and compliance systems, especially larger companies and those with vertically integrated supply chains. Although engagement varies across sectors and countries, some companies are piloting new tools and collaborating with government and partners on national systems and shipment dry runs.
Discussions included a close look at the trade in EUDR-compliant coffee, finding that the EUDR has set a new, achievable and affordable global standard. Similarly, we heard that the legislation has also led to a new traceability system for beef and leather in Paraguay.
Next steps include the European Commission’s expected EUDR guidance, which will bring clarity in how to deal with the legality requirements under the EUDR. Critical issues such as clarity around land tenure, labour standards, and Small and Medium Sized Enterprises preparedness will need further attention.
Kategorien: Events, EU Regulation on deforestation-free products
