The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will be applied from 30 December 2025 to large EU businesses, and from 30 June 2026 to smaller EU enterprises.
Under the EUDR, certain products (listed below) for export to the EU will have to meet new rules relating to the land on which they were produced. EU importers will need to ensure the land has not been subject to deforestation or forest degradation since 31 December 2020. Australian producers and exporters will need to provide clear evidence to EU importers to support this.
Low-Risk Classification for Australia
On 22 May 2025, the European Commission (EC) classified Australia as a low-risk country (Country Classification List) under the EUDR.
The low-risk rating means that only 1% of importers placing regulated goods exclusively from Australia and other low risk sources on the EU market will be subject to annual checks by the EU competent authorities, as opposed to 3% for standard risk and 9% for high-risk origins. It also means that regulated goods originating from Australia will be subject to the simplified due diligence process set out in the EUDR.
However, under the simplified due diligence process, Australian producers and exporters will need to provide geolocation data and other information on land use to EU importers to undertake their simplified assessment.
The department will continue to inform industry of further updates affecting Australian exporters through our established channels, passing on information obtained through engagement with the EC.
Commodities
Commodities targeted by the EUDR are:
- Cattle (including beef)
- Cocoa
- Wood
- Coffee
- Oil Palm
- Rubber
- Soya
It also extends to a range of relevant products derived from these commodities, such as leather, chocolate and paper.
See the full list of relevant commodities and products (Annex 1 of the EUDR).
How it works
To export to the EU, you will need to meet the requirements of the EUDR.
You will be required to provide details of the product, including geocoordinates of all product locations until it was processed (for cattle, this is from birth to slaughter). You must also provide proof that production of your consignments followed all Australian laws, and that production is not associated with deforestation or (for wood) forest degradation.
Information Requirements
EU importers (termed 'Operators') and EU Traders will have to provide details of the product and supply chain to the EU authorities. They will use this to ensure the products meet the requirements of the EUDR.
EU authorities will require the following information:
- a description, including the trade name and type of relevant products
- for wood products, the common name of the species and its full scientific name
- a list of relevant commodities or products contained in, or used to make, the products
- product quantity (expressed in net mass, volume, or number of units)
- identification of the country of production
- geolocation of all plots of land producing commodities containing relevant products
- the geolocation of the establishments that kept cattle
- date or time range of production
- evidence that the commodities were legally produced
- adequately conclusive and verifiable information that the relevant products are deforestation-free
- details of the entire supply chain from beginning to end.
Geolocation
Geolocation details provided under the EUDR will need to be:
- at least one latitude coordinate and at least one longitude coordinate
- to a minimum of 6 decimal places.
Areas that are larger than 4 hectares need latitude and longitude points that describe the perimeter of the property.
Cattle only need a single geolocation coordinate to describe the establishments where cattle have been kept.
Geolocation data for all plots is required when a commodity has been produced on more than one plot. This may include when a commodity has moved across different plots of land or a product is made of goods from different plots of land.
Failure to provide this information may result in consignments being held at the EU border, returned, or destroyed.
Country Benchmarking
The EUDR country benchmarking system determines the deforestation and degradation risk of each nation.
Nations are classed on a 3-tier system, from low-risk to high-risk.
Definitions for each tier:
- High risk – countries that have been identified as having a high risk of producing relevant goods that do not comply with the EUDR.
- Standard risk – countries that do not fall into either the high risk or low risk category.
- Low risk – countries that have been identified as having a low risk of producing relevant goods that do not comply with the EUDR.
The percentage of consignments inspected at the border on arrival will vary according to the level of risk assigned to the country or region of production. The EC has classified Australia as low-risk on its country benchmarking system.
EU Forest Map
As part of its global forest monitoring, the EU Observatory on deforestation and forest degradation has produced a first draft of an advisory global forest map, aimed at representing the state of standing forest cover at 31 December 2020, based on satellite data and the EU definition of forests. The map is one tool that EU Operators and EU Traders may use to determine application of the regulation.
The map can be accessed here: EU Forest Observatory
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARES) has produced Australia’s State of Forests Report since 1998. The most recent accurate map of Australia’s forests, mapped according to Australia’s internationally recognised forest definition, was published in 2023.
Applying risk profiles
A nation’s risk classification will establish the level of scrutiny by the EU. This includes the proportion of consignments inspected by the relevant authorities
- Low-risk countries will be subject to ‘simplified due-diligence’ and a lower proportion of inspections.
- High risk countries will be subject to ‘enhanced scrutiny’ and a higher percentage of inspections.
Updated EUDR Guidance
The EC has also published additional guidance documents and updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) concerning the EUDR and its implementation. The guidance is intended to provide additional clarity to companies and enforcing authorities to facilitate the application of the rules.
The guidance is divided into 11 chapters covering issues including legality requirements, timeframe of application, agricultural use, and clarifications on the product scope. In addition, the latest FAQs, published concurrently, features over 40 new additional answers to address questions raised by stakeholders.
See more
EUDR Frequently Asked Questions
Subscribe to our Industry Advice Notices (IAN) for updates:
Contact
If you have questions about the EUDR please email: Europe.tmad@aff.gov.au.
Disclaimer
Many of the implementation details of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) are still to be determined by the European Commission (EC). The above information is therefore provided to alert Australian entities but is not intended to substitute specific commercial or legal advice. Implementation of the EUDR is ultimately the responsibility of the EC and European Union Member States. Australian entities may wish to seek independent advice applicable to their business or based on their circumstances.
The information provided is current at the date of issue and is intended for use as guidance only. The Commonwealth has exercised due care and skill in the preparation of this information, but we do not warrant its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose. Information may be subject to change without notice.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Commonwealth will not be liable for any loss, damage, expense or cost incurred by any person directly or indirectly as a result of relying on information contained in this notice.