EUDR Due Diligence Statement

The EUDR Due Diligence Statement is a compliance instrument to ensure deforestation-free products.

The "EUDR Due Diligence Statement" (DDS) is a fundamental compliance instrument under the EU regulation on deforestation (EU 2023/1115), requiring companies to submit a formal legal declaration before placing specific goods and products on the European market. This regulatory element is crucial for the EU's efforts to combat global deforestation by ensuring that products entering the market or exported from the EU are deforestation-free and legally produced.

The Due Diligence Statement serves as a preventive verification process, requiring economic actors to demonstrate that their imported or marketed products meet strict environmental and legal standards. This statement must be submitted through the EU information system before products can be distributed, consumed, or used. The DDS creates transparency in supply chains, enables traceability of raw materials back to their production sites, and establishes accountability mechanisms for companies trading products affected by the regulation.

According to Article 9 of the EUDR, each Due Diligence Statement must contain specific, comprehensive information. This includes the identification of the company, information about the products, as well as precise geolocation data that captures all relevant cultivation areas. These requirements represent a significant shift in traditional supply chain documentation, as they necessitate geographical tracking at the parcel level. Additionally, companies must conduct a risk analysis and document steps taken to minimize potential risks.