EU Deforestation Regulation obligations bind large and medium operators from 30 December 2026

From 30 December 2026 the main EU Deforestation Regulation obligations apply to large and medium operators and traders. The core of it is the due diligence statement, proving goods are deforestation-free and legally produced.

Seven commodities are in scope: cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya and wood, along with products derived from them. Placing them on the EU market or exporting from it both count. The due diligence statement is the output, and the traceability behind it is the work.

Operators and traders in seven commodities

Anyone placing cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya or wood, or derived products, on or exporting from the EU market. Micro and small enterprises have until 30 June 2027, except those already covered by the EU Timber Regulation, which are caught now.

Building the due diligence statement

• Check your goods against the seven commodities and their derived products.
• Size the business: micro and small enterprises have until 30 June 2027 unless the EU Timber Regulation already covered them.
• Trace each consignment back far enough to say it is deforestation-free and legally produced.
• Prepare the due diligence statement for goods going out on or after 30 December 2026.
• Keep the underlying evidence, not only the statement.

The EU Deforestation Regulation system

The Deforestation Regulation has its own entry in the register of 87, and its build status is shown as it stands today.

Verified 19 August 2026.

Back to every EU and UK compliance deadline left in 2026