Many SME manufacturers are unsure of their responsibilities under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). In short, if you're an SME producer placing products on the EU market for the first time, you don’t need to file a Due Diligence Statement in the EU Portal. However, you must provide Reference Numbers upon request. For raw materials already in the EU, your supplier will provide these Reference Numbers, which you must archive. If you're importing raw materials from outside the EU, you are responsible for conducting full due diligence and generating new Reference Numbers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the schedule of the next phase of Lacey Act declaration implementation. Phase VII will include a wide variety of materials and plant products, such as furniture, cork, and some essential oils that have not yet required a declaration. APHIS launched an outreach campaign in October 2022 to provide information about the upcoming declaration implementation phase.

To make the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) a little more comprehensible, we have created this overview. Explaining the regulation is particularly challenging to suppliers in non-EU countries. We hope our summary of the EUDR will facilitate understanding. If you need a downloadable version - including your company logo - please contact us at info@supplycanvas.com.

Generally the HS Code determines if a product falls under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). However, in some cases, the HS Code alone may not be sufficient, and the EUDR distinguishes between 'placing on the market' and 'making available on the market.' For items like wooden packaging material (HS Code 4415), imported from non-EU countries, they are considered as importing and making available on the market, not 'placing on the market.' Due diligence obligations apply only to 'placing on the market' or exporting, and the intended use of products is crucial.

The regulation, effective from December 30, 2024, suggests risk-mitigating measures, including supporting suppliers, especially small farmers, through capacity-building and investments. Partner programs outlined in the regulation are crucial to ensure market access for small enterprises in producing countries, particularly for specified wood types.

The European Commission categorizes countries by risk levels, likely deeming the US low risk. However, due diligence remains essential, requiring a Due Diligence Statement with geodata for imports.