Posted on July, 12 2024

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will soon apply to products on the EU market. A law that WWF and many other NGOs have advocated for over many years, it promises to be a gamechanger in reversing forest loss globally. The EUDR introduces a range of new requirements related to product traceability, risk assessment and risk mitigation, which is why we've pulled together a pragmatic EUDR Guide for Business that focuses on overarching steps to consider as companies ready themselves for compliance. Following the launch of the WWF Wood Risk Tool, this guide is our next resource to help companies with responsible sourcing.

Forests Forward catalyzes private sector leadership on forests. Through the programme, WWF works with companies taking a leading role in their sectors by upping their ambition, action and accountability on forests. While the EUDR is a significant milestone, it won't catalyze the drastic improvements required for nature, climate and people on its own.

Leadership is not just about strict compliance; leadership from a Forests Forward perspective is about going beyond and using the EUDR as a stepping stone towards higher-level ambition. That's why our guide shows – with clear colour-coding – WWF recommendations that go beyond basic good practice and the benefits this can bring to nature and business. 

WWF's EUDR Step-by-Step Guide for Business

The guidance aims to help companies and their suppliers with the development and implementation of compliance systems and procedures as they ready themselves for compliance with the EUDR.

The guide also includes annexes focused on specific commodities: palm oil, cocoa, rubber, and timber.

The practical guide is most relevant for: 

• Large downstream companies – rather than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• Personnel responsible for the development and implementation of compliance systems and procedures. 

The guide also includes recommendations for the adoption of leadership practices that reflect high levels of ambition. It is thus intended as a resource not only for staff tasked with regulatory compliance, but also for those with broader remits related to corporate social responsibility in the forest and agricultural commodity sectors.

​Version 1 launched July 2024. The guide will be updated as the European Commission updates its own FAQs and guidance.

Download the guide and accompanying annexes here