European Commission to open EUDR registry to operators and traders from November 2024

Major chocolate companies and industry voices throw their weight behind new laws

The European Commission (EC) has published The Deforestation Due Diligence Registry, which provides additional details on the bloc's regulation on deforestation-free products that will come into force on 30 December 2024.

The registry allows operators, traders, and their representatives to make due diligence statements in electronic formats and submit them to the relevant authorities to show that their products do not cause deforestation and comply with deforestation regulations.

Registration to use the system will begin in November 2024 and be open to all users in December 2024.

"Registry operators can indicate the exact origins of products and materials by drawing areas on a map or by providing coordinates individually or in bulk," the EC said in an update.

"To make the process as simple as possible for companies working with products from multiple locations, there are options for uploading, copying or re-using location information," it added.

Pilot Testing of the Deforestation Information System (DIS) commenced last  December with 100 stakeholders. CocoaRadar understands that major cocoa suppliers Cargill and Barry Callebaut, were involved in the pilot, which also included operators of different sizes (including SMEs and non-SMEs) and a geographical balance from other commodities.

Nicolas Mounard, Barry Callebaut Group VP ESG, Sustainability & Traceability, said: “Ultimately, for an impactful and sustainable transformation of the cocoa supply chain, establishing a common vision and working towards the same goals with all stakeholders is the key to success. We are very proud that our ambitious sustainability agenda is aligned with the global climate goals and the upcoming EU Deforestation-free Products Regulation.”

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will apply to operators and traders who place or make available any of the relevant commodities (cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soya, and wood) on the EU market or export from the EU. They must ensure that the products or commodities are deforestation-free, produced in line with the relevant legislation in the country of production, and covered by a due diligence statement. 

The Information System aims to facilitate the submission and processing of the Due Diligence Statements for relevant operators, traders, competent authorities, and customs to ensure a smooth transition when the rules enter into application at the end of 2024.  

‘Train the trainers’

The Commission said that the next steps include providing a training environment and “train-the-trainers” sessions in October to all interested companies in coordination with member states' authorities. 

“This will give all interested stakeholders the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the System well before the Regulation enters into application,” it said.

The registry enables companies in the EU to provide details of the products by creating a due diligence statement. In this statement, the operator selects the type of product and indicates characteristics such as quantity and volume.

The update said operators further down the supply chain, such as traders within the EU, can refer back to statements created previously.

Video tutorials available on how the DIS works

It is also understood that the Commission will also make available user manuals and other relevant self-learning material, such as video tutorials, starting in August.

Julian Oram, Senior Director at Mighty Earth, said on LinkedIn: “This additional clarity for how companies will be able to file their due diligence statements is another important milestone on the road towards full implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation on 30 December, 2024.”

Major chocolate companies urge Brussels to press ahead with EUDR

The update from the EC came as Nestle, Mars Wrigley, and Ferrero sent a joint paper to EC President Ursula von der Leyen’s team, urging her office to press ahead with the law amid calls from some quarters to delay the bill.

The paper, seen by CocoaRadar, was also signed by Tony’s Chocolonely, the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, and the influential non-profit Voice network. They have also urged the EU to do more to help companies meet their December start date.

Various companies and organisations, the US government, and industry groups, including the Confederation of European Paper Industries, have called for a delay in the EUDR, citing the EU’s unfinished systems for managing compliance.