EUDR for Timber Buyers and Sellers: Requirements and How GTH Simplifies Compliance

Practical Guide to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) introduces new obligations for timber importers, exporters, producers, and traders. This guide explains what the regulation requires, which documents are needed to demonstrate compliance, and how Green Trade Hardwood GmbH (GTH) helps companies manage the due diligence process simply and efficiently. What Is the EUDR? The EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (EUDR) establishes that specific raw materials and products derived from them, including timber and timber products, may be placed on the European Union market only if they:

are free from deforestation; have been produced in compliance with the legislation of the country of origin; and are accompanied by a Due Diligence Statement (DDS).

The EUDR replaces the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), introducing significantly more stringent control and traceability requirements. Dates of Application The regulation will apply according to the following schedule:

December 30, 2026, for large and medium-sized enterprises. June 30, 2027, for micro and small enterprises.

This transition period gives companies the time they need to adapt their processes, engage with suppliers, and establish an effective due diligence system. Who Does It Apply To? The EUDR affects all companies placing timber or timber products on the European market, including:

importers; producers; and traders.

The primary obligation to conduct due diligence and submit the Due Diligence Statement (DDS) falls on the operator placing the product on the EU market for the first time.

Companies operating at subsequent stages of the supply chain must maintain relevant documentation and ensure, where applicable, that the products they market comply with the regulation. What Does “Due Diligence” Mean in Practice? To meet the requirements of the EUDR, operators must collect, verify, and evaluate information demonstrating that the timber was legally produced and does not originate from areas affected by deforestation.

The information typically required includes:

geolocation data (GPS coordinates) for the logs harvesting areas; confirmation that the land has not been subject to deforestation since December 31, 2020; documentation demonstrating compliance with the laws of the country of production; and submission of the Due Diligence Statement (DDS) through the EU Information System before placing the product on the European market.

The Indonesian V-Legal System (SVLK/FLEGT) and EUDR Compliance Indonesia has the Timber Legality Assurance System (SVLK), through which eligible exports can obtain a V-Legal (FLEGT) license.

A valid V-Legal (FLEGT) license satisfies the EUDR legality requirement for wood products from Indonesia.

However, this alone is not sufficient to ensure full compliance with the regulation. Operators must still provide:

geolocation data; information demonstrating the absence of deforestation; and additional documentation required as part of the due diligence process.

In other words, the FLEGT license certifies the legality of the timber but does not automatically demonstrate that the product is “deforestation-free,” which is a key requirement of the EUDR. How GTH Supports EUDR Compliance Green Trade Hardwood GmbH (GTH) was designed to simplify the management of regulatory compliance throughout the entire procurement process.

The catastico.eu platform allows you to:

verify the validity of supplier certifications; access a dedicated section containing compliance documents for each order; enable sellers to upload V-Legal certificates, geolocation data, and declarations of origin directly to each order; enable buyers to securely view and download all documentation from their dashboard; and receive support from the GTH team in managing documentation requirements for specific procurement scenarios.

By centralizing all documentation in a single digital environment, GTH helps companies organize the information needed to fulfill the due diligence obligations required by the EUDR more efficiently. Preparing for the Entry into Force of the EUDR Although the obligations become applicable from December 30, 2026 (and from June 30, 2027, for micro and small enterprises), it is advisable to begin preparing well in advance.

Key activities include:

working with suppliers to obtain accurate geolocation data; collecting the required documentation.