---
title: "EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Guide: Key Dates, Due Diligence Statement, Geolocation, Traceability"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu-deforestation"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "A practical EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) hub with key dates, a decision flow, and grounded guidance on scope, operator and trader roles."
published_at: "2026-02-22"
updated_at: "2026-02-23"
keywords:
  - "EUDR"
  - "EU Deforestation Regulation"
  - "deforestation free products"
  - "Regulation (EU) 2023/1115"
  - "due diligence statement"
  - "simplified declaration"
  - "geolocation coordinates"
  - "plot of land geolocation"
  - "traceability system"
  - "operator downstream operator trader"
  - "relevant commodities and products Annex I"
  - "negligible risk assessment"
  - "risk mitigation measures"
  - "benchmarking list low risk high risk"
  - "Deforestation"
  - "Due diligence"
  - "Supply chain"
---
**[SORENA](https://www.sorena.io/)** - AI-Powered GRC Platform

[Home](https://www.sorena.io/) | [Solutions](https://www.sorena.io/solutions) | [Artifacts](https://www.sorena.io/artifacts) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) | [Contact](https://www.sorena.io/contact) | [Portal](https://app.sorena.io)

---

# EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Guide: Key Dates, Due Diligence Statement, Geolocation, Traceability

A practical EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) hub with key dates, a decision flow, and grounded guidance on scope, operator and trader roles.

![EU deforestation regulation artifact preview](https://cdn.sorena.io/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/cheatsheets/prod/sorena-ai-eu-deforestation-timeline-small.jpg?v=cheatsheets%2Fprod)

*EUDR* *Free Resource*

## EU Deforestation Regulation Timeline and Decision Flow

Use this artifact to confirm whether your commodities and products are in scope, identify your role, and plan due diligence statements, simplified declarations, geolocation evidence, traceability systems, risk assessment, and supplier controls.

This reference reflects the consolidated EUDR text in force on 26 December 2025, including the main 30 December 2026 application date and the later 30 June 2027 date for certain micro and small operators.

[Get help with EUDR compliance](/contact.md)

## What you can decide faster

- **Is it covered**: Relevant commodities and products checks.
- **Your role**: Operator, downstream operator, and trader duties.
- **What to evidence**: Traceability data, geolocation, and risk controls.

By Sorena AI | Updated Feb 2026 | No signup required

### Quick scan

*EUDR*

- **Scope**: Map products and commodities to in scope status.
- **Due diligence**: Plan statements, risk checks, and mitigation steps.
- **Data readiness**: Align supplier data and traceability requirements.

Use the decision flow to align sourcing, legal, operations, and supplier teams on a workable approach.

| Value | Metric |
| --- | --- |
| 2023 | Regulation |
| DDS | Statement |
| Geo | Data |
| Risk | Controls |

**Key highlights:** Scope first | Geolocation data | Due diligence

## Topic Guides

- [Applicability Test | EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): In-Scope Products, Roles, Dates](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/applicability-test.md): A 15-minute EUDR applicability test: confirm whether your commodities or products are in Annex I, determine if you are an operator, downstream operator.
- [Compliance Program | EUDR Implementation Playbook: Governance, Controls, Supplier Onboarding, Evidence](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/compliance.md): Turn EUDR into an execution program: governance and ownership, SKU -> Annex I scope mapping, supplier onboarding data contracts, geolocation pipeline.
- [Deadlines and Compliance Calendar | EUDR Key Dates 2024 to 2029](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): EUDR deadline tracker with actionable milestones: information system readiness under Article 33, Commission benchmarking timing.
- [Deadlines, Phasing, and What to Do First | EUDR Implementation Plan (90 Days -> Go-Live)](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/deadlines-phasing-and-what-to-do-first.md): A practical EUDR phasing guide: what to do first, what to build next, and how to sequence scope mapping, geolocation data collection, supplier evidence.
- [Due Diligence Statement (DDS) and Evidence Pack | EUDR: What to Collect, Store, and Prove](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/due-diligence-statement-and-evidence.md): EUDR due diligence statements made practical: what a DDS is, when a simplified declaration applies, who submits it, how reference numbers flow downstream.
- [EUDR Checklist | EU Deforestation Regulation Compliance Checklist (Scope -> DDS -> Evidence)](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/checklist.md): A practical EUDR checklist organized by workstream: scope mapping (Annex I), role mapping (operator/downstream operator/trader), geolocation pipeline.
- [EUDR Due Diligence Statement Template | Copy/Paste DDS Structure and Evidence Checklist](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/eudr-due-diligence-statement-template.md): A practical EUDR due diligence statement (DDS) template outline: the fields and annexes you should prepare (product identification, supplier and origin data.
- [EUDR vs CSDDD | What's Different, What Overlaps, and How to Build One Evidence Program](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/eudr-vs-csddd.md): EUDR vs CSDDD made practical: EUDR is product-and-lot specific with DDS reference numbers, geolocation, and deforestation-free/legality conditions.
- [FAQ | EUDR Explained: Scope, Roles, DDS Reference Numbers, Geolocation, Risk Mitigation, Penalties](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/faq.md): EUDR FAQ with practical answers: what is in scope (Annex I), operator vs downstream operator vs trader, what a due diligence statement (DDS) is.
- [Geolocation Data Requirements | EUDR: Plots of Land, Establishments, Validation, Exceptions](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/eudr-geolocation-data-requirements.md): EUDR geolocation requirements made practical: what geolocation data to collect (plots/establishments).
- [Geolocation, Traceability, and Systems | EUDR Technical Architecture and Data Model](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/geolocation-traceability-and-systems.md): Build EUDR ready systems: geolocation pipeline, batch and lot traceability, evidence storage, and risk control workflows.
- [In-Scope Commodities and Products (Annex I) | EUDR Scope Mapping Guide](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/in-scope-commodities-and-products.md): EUDR scope mapping guide for Annex I commodities and derived products: how to map SKUs to relevant commodities/products, handle composite goods and blends.
- [Penalties and Enforcement | EUDR Enforcement Actions, Corrective Measures, Interim Measures, Reporting](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/penalties-and-enforcement.md): How EUDR enforcement works in practice: competent authority checks, interim measures (including seizure/suspension).
- [Penalties and Fines | EUDR Penalty Framework (Article 25): Turnover-Based Fines and Other Measures](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/penalties-and-fines.md): EUDR penalties explained (Article 25): Member State penalty rules.
- [Requirements | EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Obligations: Due Diligence, Geolocation, Traceability, Roles](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/requirements.md): A structured EUDR requirements map: Article 3 core conditions, operator obligations in Article 4, simplified declaration rules in Article 4a.
- [Risk Assessment and Mitigation | EUDR Due Diligence (Articles 10-11) Playbook](/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation/risk-assessment-and-mitigation.md): EUDR due diligence risk assessment and mitigation made practical: how to structure Articles 10-11 decisions, what inputs to use (origin, supplier.

## Key dates for due diligence planning

*EUDR Timeline*

Use these dates to plan data readiness, supplier onboarding, and operational rollout for due diligence statements, benchmarking, and application deadlines.

## Does the regulation apply to your products

*EUDR Decision Flow*

Follow a structured path to confirm scope and supply chain role (operator, downstream operator, or trader), then use the outcomes to prioritize due diligence steps and evidence.

*Next step*

## Turn EU Deforestation Regulation Timeline and Decision Flow into an ESG delivery workflow

EU Deforestation Regulation Timeline and Decision Flow should be the shared entry point for your team. Route execution into ESG Compliance for live work and into SSOT when the artifact needs deeper research, evidence governance, or supporting analysis.

- Start from EU Deforestation Regulation Timeline and Decision Flow and route the work by entity, product, team, or control owner.
- Use ESG Compliance to manage cross team sustainability work, reporting, and evidence from one workflow.
- Use SSOT to keep documents, evidence, and control records in one governed system.
- Move from artifact reading to accountable execution without rebuilding the guidance in separate files.

- [Open ESG Compliance](/solutions/esg-compliance.md): Manage cross team sustainability work, reporting, and evidence from one workflow for EU Deforestation Regulation Timeline and Decision Flow.
- [Open SSOT](/solutions/ssot.md): Keep documents, evidence, and control records in one governed system from the same artifact.
- **Download decision flow**: Share the scope logic internally.
- **Download timeline**: Coordinate milestones across teams.
- [Talk through EU Deforestation Regulation Timeline and Decision Flow](/contact.md): Review your current process, evidence model, and next steps for EU Deforestation Regulation Timeline and Decision Flow.

## Decision Steps

### STEP 1: Are you placing on the EU market, making available on the EU market, or exporting a product covered by the EUDR?

*Reference: Reg. (EU) 2023/1115 Art. 1, Art. 3 and Annex I*

- The EUDR applies to certain commodities and derived products listed in Annex I.
- Covered commodities include: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, and wood, plus listed derived products.
- If yes: determine whether you are an operator, downstream operator, or trader and what you must do before placing on the market, making available, or exporting.
- If no: the EUDR due diligence duties do not apply to that product flow.

- **YES** Are you placing relevant products on the EU market or exporting them?
- **NO** Out of Scope

### STEP 2: Are you placing relevant products on the EU market or exporting them?

*Reference: Reg. (EU) 2023/1115 Art. 2 (definitions)*

- If yes: you are either an operator or a downstream operator. Next, confirm whether you are placing products already covered by upstream due diligence.
- If no: if you are making relevant products available on the EU market, you may be a trader.

- **YES** Are you placing on the market or exporting relevant products made using relevant products that are already covered by a due diligence statement or simplified declaration?
- **NO** Are you a trader making relevant products available on the EU market?

### STEP 3: Are you placing on the market or exporting relevant products made using relevant products that are already covered by a due diligence statement or simplified declaration?

*Reference: Reg. (EU) 2023/1115 Art. 2 (downstream operator) and Art. 5*

- If yes: you are a downstream operator and must follow the downstream operator obligations.
- If no: you are an operator and must follow the operator obligations (including due diligence and due diligence statements), unless you qualify for the micro or small primary operator simplified regime.

- **YES** Are you a micro or small undertaking (SME) for EUDR purposes?
- **NO** Are you a micro or small primary operator?

### STEP 4: Are you a micro or small primary operator?

*Reference: Reg. (EU) 2023/1115 Art. 2 (micro or small primary operator) and Art. 4a*

- Micro or small primary operators have a simplified regime, including a one-time simplified declaration submitted in the information system (Art. 33).
- If yes: follow the micro or small primary operator track.
- If no: follow the standard operator due diligence track.

- **YES** EUDR Applies (Micro or small primary operator)
- **NO** EUDR Applies (Operator)

### STEP 5: Are you a trader making relevant products available on the EU market?

*Reference: Reg. (EU) 2023/1115 Art. 2 (trader) and Art. 5*

- Traders are supply chain actors (other than operators or downstream operators) that make relevant products available on the market.
- If yes: determine whether you are micro or small for the registration requirement and follow the trader obligations track.
- If no: you may be out of scope for this flow.

- **YES** Are you a micro or small undertaking (SME) for EUDR purposes?
- **NO** Out of Scope

### STEP 6: Are you a micro or small undertaking (SME) for EUDR purposes?

*Reference: Reg. (EU) 2023/1115 Art. 5(2) and Directive 2013/34/EU Art. 3*

- Under Article 5(2), registration in the information system applies to non-SME downstream operators and non-SME traders.
- If yes: SME downstream operator obligations apply (no registration requirement under Art. 5(2), but core traceability duties still apply).
- If no: non-SME downstream operator obligations apply (including registration under Art. 5(2)).

- **YES** EUDR Applies (Downstream operator, micro or small)
- **NO** EUDR Applies (Downstream operator, not micro or small)

### STEP 7: Are you a micro or small undertaking (SME) for EUDR purposes?

*Reference: Reg. (EU) 2023/1115 Art. 5(2) and Directive 2013/34/EU Art. 3*

- Under Article 5(2), registration in the information system applies to non-SME downstream operators and non-SME traders.
- If yes: SME trader obligations apply (no registration requirement under Art. 5(2), but core traceability duties still apply).
- If no: non-SME trader obligations apply (including registration under Art. 5(2)).

- **YES** EUDR Applies (Trader, micro or small)
- **NO** EUDR Applies (Trader, not micro or small)

## Reference Information

### Covered commodities and derived products

- Start with Annex I: it lists commodities and derived products in scope.
- If the commodity or product is not listed in Annex I, EUDR due diligence is not required for that item.
- If it is listed, proceed to determine role and complete required steps before placing on the market, making available, or exporting.

### Key roles under the EUDR

- Operator: places relevant products on the market or exports them (excluding downstream operators).
- Downstream operator: places on the market or exports relevant products made using relevant products that are already covered by a due diligence statement or a simplified declaration.
- Trader: makes relevant products available on the market and is not an operator or downstream operator.

### Due diligence in three steps

- Information (Art. 9): collect and keep information and evidence (including geolocation) showing products comply with Art. 3.
- Risk assessment (Art. 10): assess risk of non-compliance and do not place/export unless risk is no or negligible.
- Risk mitigation (Art. 11): where risk is not negligible, mitigate risk before placing/exporting.

### Country benchmarking and simplified due diligence

- The Commission will classify countries or parts thereof as low, standard, or high risk under the benchmarking system (Art. 29).
- Simplified due diligence may be available for low risk production (Art. 13), but operators remain responsible for compliance.
- Your due diligence process should explicitly record the risk level and how it affects checks and evidence collected.

### Authorized representatives

- Operators may mandate an authorized representative to submit a due diligence statement (Art. 4(2)) or a simplified declaration (Art. 4a(2)) on their behalf (Art. 6).
- The operator retains responsibility for compliance with Art. 3.

### Downstream operators and traders (core obligations)

- Before placing, making available, or exporting: be in possession of the required information (Art. 5(1) and Art. 5(3)).
- Non-SME downstream operators and non-SME traders must register in the information system before placing, making available, or exporting (Art. 5(2)).
- Collect and keep supply chain information, including upstream details and, where the supplier is an operator, due diligence statement reference numbers or declaration identifiers (Art. 5(3)).
- Keep the required information for at least five years and provide it to competent authorities on request (Art. 5(4)).

## Possible Outcomes

### [RESULT] EUDR Applies (Operator)

Exercise due diligence and submit a due diligence statement before placing on the market or exporting

- Do not place on the market or export covered products unless they are deforestation free, produced in accordance with relevant legislation of the country of production, and covered by a due diligence statement or simplified declaration (Art. 3).
- Exercise due diligence before placing on the market or exporting (Art. 4(1) and Art. 8).
- Submit a due diligence statement through the information system before placing on the market or exporting (Art. 4(2) and Art. 33).
- Keep required records and documentation for at least five years and provide them to competent authorities on request (Art. 4(3) and Art. 9).
- Communicate due diligence statement reference numbers (or declaration identifiers) to downstream operators and traders further down the supply chain (Art. 4).

### [RESULT] EUDR Applies (Micro or small primary operator)

Use the simplified regime (one-time simplified declaration) and still ensure compliance

- Submit a one-time simplified declaration in the information system before placing relevant products on the market or exporting them, and obtain a declaration identifier (Art. 4a(2) and Art. 33).
- Provide the information set out in Annex III and update it following major changes (Art. 4a(3)).
- Place on the market or export only after being assigned a declaration identifier (Art. 4a(4)).
- Where applicable, geolocation under Art. 9(1)(d) may be replaced by postal address of plots of land or the establishment (Art. 4a(5)).

### [RESULT] EUDR Applies (Downstream operator, not micro or small)

Register, collect required information, keep records, and verify risk signals

- Register in the information system before placing, making available, or exporting (Art. 5(2) and Art. 33).
- Collect and keep the required supply chain information (Art. 5(3)).
- Keep required information for at least five years and provide it to competent authorities on request (Art. 5(4)).
- If you obtain relevant information indicating non-compliance prior to placing/making available/exporting, inform competent authorities and, for substantiated concerns, verify due diligence and do not proceed unless verification demonstrates no or negligible risk (Art. 5(6)).

### [RESULT] EUDR Applies (Downstream operator, micro or small)

Collect required information and keep records (no registration requirement under Art. 5(2))

- Collect and keep the required supply chain information (Art. 5(3)).
- Keep required information for at least five years and provide it to competent authorities on request (Art. 5(4)).
- If you obtain relevant new information indicating a product you placed or made available is at risk of non-compliance, inform competent authorities and downstream recipients (Art. 5(5)).

### [RESULT] EUDR Applies (Trader, not micro or small)

Register, collect required information, keep records, and verify risk signals

- Register in the information system before placing, making available, or exporting (Art. 5(2) and Art. 33).
- Collect and keep the required supply chain information (Art. 5(3)).
- Keep required information for at least five years and provide it to competent authorities on request (Art. 5(4)).
- If you obtain relevant information indicating non-compliance prior to placing/making available/exporting, inform competent authorities and, for substantiated concerns, verify due diligence and do not proceed unless verification demonstrates no or negligible risk (Art. 5(6)).

### [RESULT] EUDR Applies (Trader, micro or small)

Collect required information and keep records (no registration requirement under Art. 5(2))

- Collect and keep the required supply chain information (Art. 5(3)).
- Keep required information for at least five years and provide it to competent authorities on request (Art. 5(4)).
- If you obtain relevant new information indicating a product you made available is at risk of non-compliance, inform competent authorities and downstream recipients (Art. 5(5)).

### [RESULT] Out of Scope

EUDR due diligence is not required for this flow

- The product is not covered by Annex I, or you are not placing on the EU market, making available on the EU market, or exporting a covered product in this scenario.
- Confirm whether other EU product or supply chain requirements apply to your product flow.

## EUDR Timeline (Key Dates)

| Date | Event | Reference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2023-06-29 | EUDR enters into force | Art. 38(1) |
| 2024-12-30 | Commission information system due (due diligence statements) | Art. 33 |
| 2025-06-30 | Benchmarking list deadline (low and high risk countries) | Art. 29 |
| 2026-12-30 | Core obligations start applying (most operators and traders) | Art. 38(2) |
| 2027-06-30 | Core obligations start applying for certain micro and small undertakings | Art. 38(3) |

## Compliance Timeline

| Date | Event | Category | Reference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2023-05-31 | EUDR adopted | Legislative History | Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 |
| 2023-06-09 | EUDR published in the Official Journal (OJ L 150) | Official Publication |  |
| 2023-06-29 | EUDR enters into force | Official Publication | Art. 38(1) |
| 2023-06-29 | All countries assigned standard risk (benchmarking) | Implementation Deliverables | Art. 29 |
| 2023-12-30 | Member States notify competent authorities | Implementation Deliverables | Art. 14(2) |
| 2024-12-04 | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3084 adopted | Implementation Deliverables | Regulation (EU) 2024/3084 |
| 2024-12-09 | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3084 enters into force | Implementation Deliverables |  |
| 2024-12-19 | Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 adopted | Amendments | Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 |
| 2024-12-26 | Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 enters into force | Amendments |  |
| 2024-12-30 | Commission information system due (due diligence statements) | Implementation Deliverables | Art. 33 |
| 2025-06-30 | Country benchmarking list deadline (low and high risk) | Implementation Deliverables | Art. 29 |
| 2025-12-19 | Amending Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 adopted | Amendments | Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 |
| 2025-12-26 | Amending Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 enters into force | Amendments |  |
| 2026-02-12 | Corrigendum to Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 published | Amendments | Corrigendum |
| 2026-12-30 | Due diligence obligations start applying for most operators and traders | Applicability | Art. 38(2) |
| 2026-12-30 | EU Timber Regulation repealed | Applicability | Art. 37(1) |
| 2027-06-30 | Due diligence obligations start applying for certain micro and small undertakings | Applicability | Art. 38(3) |
| 2029-12-31 | EU Timber Regulation continues to apply for certain timber until this date | Applicability | Art. 37(2) |

**Event details:**

- **2023-05-31 - EUDR adopted**: The EU adopts Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products, setting due diligence obligations for certain commodities and derived products placed on, made available on, or exported from the EU market.
- **2023-06-09 - EUDR published in the Official Journal (OJ L 150)**: Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- **2023-06-29 - EUDR enters into force**: The Regulation enters into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
- **2023-06-29 - All countries assigned standard risk (benchmarking)**: All countries are assigned a standard level of risk under the EUDR benchmarking system as of this date, pending the publication of low and high risk classifications.
- **2023-12-30 - Member States notify competent authorities**: Member States must inform the Commission of the names, addresses, and contact details of their designated competent authorities by this date.
- **2024-12-04 - Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3084 adopted**: The Commission adopts implementing rules on the functioning of the EUDR information system.
- **2024-12-09 - Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/3084 enters into force**: Implementing rules on the functioning of the EUDR information system enter into force.
- **2024-12-19 - Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 adopted**: The EU adopts Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards provisions related to the date of application.
- **2024-12-26 - Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 enters into force**: Regulation (EU) 2024/3234 enters into force.
- **2024-12-30 - Commission information system due (due diligence statements)**: The Commission must establish and maintain an information system containing due diligence statements made available through the system.
- **2025-06-30 - Country benchmarking list deadline (low and high risk)**: The Commission must publish, by implementing act, the list of countries or parts thereof that present a low or high risk under the benchmarking system (all countries are assigned standard risk initially).
- **2025-12-19 - Amending Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 adopted**: The EU adopts Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards certain obligations for operators and traders.
- **2025-12-26 - Amending Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 enters into force**: Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 enters into force.
- **2026-02-12 - Corrigendum to Regulation (EU) 2025/2650 published**: An Official Journal corrigendum is published for Regulation (EU) 2025/2650.
- **2026-12-30 - Due diligence obligations start applying for most operators and traders**: Core due diligence and related obligations apply from this date for operators and traders, subject to the specific conditions and derogations stated in the Regulation.
- **2026-12-30 - EU Timber Regulation repealed**: Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 is repealed with effect from this date.
- **2027-06-30 - Due diligence obligations start applying for certain micro and small undertakings**: For certain operators that are natural persons or micro or small undertakings (as defined) established by 31 December 2024, core obligations apply from this later date, subject to the conditions stated in the Regulation.
- **2029-12-31 - EU Timber Regulation continues to apply for certain timber until this date**: For certain timber and timber products produced before 29 June 2023 and placed on the market from 30 December 2026, Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 continues to apply until this date.


---

[Privacy Policy](https://www.sorena.io/privacy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.sorena.io/terms-of-use) | [DMCA](https://www.sorena.io/dmca) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us)

(c) 2026 Sorena AB (559573-7338). All rights reserved.

Source: https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/deforestation-regulation