The
EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) requires operators and traders to prove their commodities (including wood and wood-derived products like pulp and paper) do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.
Deforestation refers to converting forested land to non-forested use. It is a leading cause of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Yes. Pulp and paper are derived from wood—a regulated commodity under EUDR. Producers must prove the legality and sustainability of their feedstock.
- Collect and verify geolocation data of forest source.
- Maintain reference and verification numbers per batch.
- Upload traceability data to EU TRACES.
- Conduct Due Diligence (DDS) to ensure deforestation-free origin.
The Regulation applies to all products placed on the market by big and medium enterprises from
30 December 2025. Essentially, this requires mills to be compliant from 2026. From June 2026, most provisions of EUDR will apply to small and micro enterprises too.
- Implement traceability from raw materials to finished products.
- Collect required documentation and verification data.
- Implement a system like ABB Ability™ MES for Pulp and Paper integrated with EU TRACES.
- Train staff, perform audits and support customs checks.
Costs vary, but failure to comply may result in
fines, import bans, or product recalls, making proactive compliance cost-effective in the long run.
Non-compliance can result in financial penalties, exclusion from EU markets, reputational damage and even confiscation of goods at border.
A centralized digital system by the EU for tracking regulated commodities and ensuring traceability across borders.
EUTR is focused on legality of timber.
EUDR expands the scope to include environmental impact (deforestation-free), legality, and supply chain due diligence.
A digital report submitted to the EU including due diligence data, product origin, reference numbers, and proof of deforestation-free sourcing.
A unique identifier assigned to a batch or product to link it to the origin data submitted to the EU TRACES platform.
A code verifying that the origin data meets EUDR requirements and has passed DDS procedures.
A process to collect, verify, and assess the risk of deforestation associated with a product, ensuring legal and sustainable sourcing.
Due diligence must be carried out to ensure the products come from land that wasn’t deforested after December 31, 2020. They must also comply with the laws in the country where they were produced.