EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Country Classification System Infographic

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) becomes applicable for most companies on December 30, 2025. The Regulation aims to minimize deforestation and forest degradation linked to products entering the EU market. Companies will need to demonstrate that their products are deforestation-free, and not linked to forest degradation, nor illegal harvesting and trade.

The Commission has adopted an Implementing Regulation under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which classifies countries into low, standard, or high risk according to their risk of deforestation when producing the seven commodities covered by EUDR (cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soya, plus wood). The “deforestation risk” classification defines the extent of compliance checks that Member States’ competent authorities foresee among operators sourcing from different countries. The infographic below has been created to show which countries fall under which deforestation risk classification.

Sourcing from low-risk countries entails simplified due diligence obligations for operators and traders. While standard and high-risk countries necessitate full due diligence, including risk assessment and mitigation.

Note that the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) will be repealed as of December 30, 2025. However, it will continue to apply to timber and timber products, as defined in Annex I of the regulation, that were harvested before June 29, 2023, and placed on the market between December 30, 2025, and December 30, 2028. After this period, the EUDR requirements will apply.

Key Recommendations For Business 

• Take ownership of your risk assessment. Ensure your risk assessment is customized to your specific business operations and aligned with your sector realities. Don’t rely solely on the EU’s risk classification framework; it may not fully capture the nuances of your business context.
  
  
• Establish a robust, data-driven due diligence system. Build a system that extends beyond your own operations to cover your supply chain. Engage with suppliers early, gather relevant data, and document your processes to ensure traceability and compliance.
  
  
• Don’t wait; taking proactive steps now will ensure you're ready. Avoid relying on assumptions about potential delays. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is already law and will be enforced starting December 30, 2025 for medium and large companies, and June 30, 2026 for micro and small enterprises, except for wood products covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), for which the application date remains December 30, 2025.
  

You can download a PDF version of the EUDR infographic via this link. 

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