Compliance Briefing — May 31, 2023
The EU Deforestation Regulation entered into force on 29 June 2023 following publication on 9 June, imposing due diligence, geolocation, and customs reporting obligations for commodities placed on the EU market.
Executive briefing: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products was adopted on 16 May 2023 and published on 9 June, with obligations applying from 30 December 2024. Operators must conduct due diligence, collect geolocation coordinates, and submit statements to the EU Information System before placing covered commodities or derived products on the market.
Key compliance checkpoints
- Due diligence system. Implement risk assessment, mitigation, and documentation workflows covering soy, cattle, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and derived products.
- Geolocation data. Capture precise plot-level coordinates for relevant production areas and ensure traceability to the farm or plantation.
- Information system submissions. Prepare to lodge due diligence statements with the EU Information System prior to customs clearance.
Operational priorities
- Supplier engagement. Secure contractual commitments, data sharing, and remediation expectations from upstream suppliers.
- Risk categorisation. Monitor Commission risk benchmarking and apply enhanced checks to high-risk countries.
- Record retention. Maintain due diligence records for at least five years, including geolocation, supplier declarations, and mitigation actions.
Enablement moves
- Deploy traceability platforms capable of capturing geospatial data and satellite verification.
- Integrate deforestation risk assessments into procurement approval processes.
- Coordinate with customs brokers to align on statement submission workflows.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products
- Council press release on deforestation regulation approval
Zeph Tech delivers deforestation compliance programmes with geospatial traceability, supplier risk scoring, and customs integration.