To address climate change, large-scale deforestation, and their harmful impacts on biodiversity, the European Union has introduced a new regulation aimed at protecting forests by fighting deforestation. The Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) was enacted in June 2023 and was set to take effect on December 30, 2024 (though a postponement is under consideration – refer to the EUDR timeline). The regulation bans the import and sale within the EU of products linked to supply chains that contribute to deforestation or the degradation of global forest ecosystems. We dig into this regulation for you.
The EUDR sets out to accomplish three primary objectives to address deforestation and the deterioration of forest ecosystems:
As of December 30, 2025, commodities like soy, cocoa, coffee, wood, rubber, palm oil, and livestock will be barred from being sold in the European Union if their production has contributed to deforestation.
The EUDR combats deforestation, helping to preserve carbon-capturing forests (carbon sinks) and aiding in the fight against climate change.
The EUDR seeks to protect forests, preserving natural habitats for numerous animal species and securing the livelihoods of local communities.
The European Deforestation Regulation targets 7 main products that have the biggest impact on forests: soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, wood, rubber and livestock.
For the packaging industry, including companies like Bong, this means new requirements for tracking raw materials and transparency in the supply chain. Packaging manufacturers need to work closely with their paper suppliers to trace the origin of paper and cardboard (which comes from wood) to ensure their supply chains are not linked to deforestation. They also need to meet the EUDR’s strict documentation requirements.
For those in the packaging sector, this means putting in more effort to:
Bong has been committed to an ambitious CSR strategy for years, with a key focus on adopting a responsible purchasing policy. Over 99% of the paper used in our products—such as paper bags, gift bags, e-commerce bags—comes from sustainably managed forests and holds PEFCTM or FSC® certification. The European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aligns seamlessly with this commitment, reinforcing Bong’s dedication to sustainable practices and ensuring greater transparency in our supply chain.
Article 8 of the EUDR mandates that operators implement a due diligence system to minimize the risks of deforestation associated with their products.
This due diligence declaration must include:
As per Article 9 of the EUDR, operators must collect and share the following details:
The European Commission intends to establish a database to evaluate countries based on the likelihood that they contribute to deforestation during the production of goods. If a product originates from a country classified as low-risk by the Commission (see Measure #4), operators can follow a simplified due diligence process. This process requires only the collection of the information listed above. If the product is from a higher-risk country, operators will also need to conduct risk assessments and mitigation actions, as detailed below.
Article 10 outlines that if a product is not sourced from a country deemed low-risk by the European Commission, companies are required to evaluate the potential deforestation risks associated with their products. This evaluation considers several factors:
If a risk assessment determines there is no threat, no further action is necessary. However, when risks are identified, businesses are required to take steps to reduce or eliminate them.
Under Article 11, companies must act to ensure their products are not associated with deforestation unless the risk has been deemed insignificant or nonexistent. Any identified risks must be addressed before the products can be sold or exported. Examples of such measures include:
Before introducing products to the EU market, and after completing the necessary information-gathering steps, operators and traders must file a due diligence declaration through an online platform managed by the European Commission. This centralised system will streamline the submission process for all declarations.The platform will enable:
The regulation establishes a robust system of inspections to ensure that products entering the European market comply with the rules, as detailed in Article 16 of the EUDR. Responsibility for conducting inspections and enforcing compliance lies with the competent authorities in each Member State. Businesses found to be non-compliant may face significant penalties.
Article 24 mandates that these penalties be effective, proportionate, and dissuasive, ensuring operators fulfill their due diligence obligations. Companies failing to take corrective action may be subject to:
Under Article 29 of the EUDR, the European Commission will classify countries into risk levels—low, standard, or high—based on the likelihood that their exports to the EU contribute to deforestation. This assessment considers factors such as deforestation and forest degradation rates, as well as the expansion of agricultural land for the seven key products linked to deforestation: soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, wood, rubber, and livestock.
The risk categorisation impacts due diligence obligations. For products sourced from low-risk countries, businesses can follow a simplified process that primarily involves gathering basic information.
The EUDR calls for the creation of the EU Observatory to monitor deforestation, forest degradation, global forest cover changes, and the underlying causes. This Observatory will track and analyse global deforestation trends, serving as a central hub for data.
Leveraging advanced remote sensing tools, including those from the Copernicus program, the Observatory will provide accessible information to authorities, businesses, and consumers across Europe.
The regulation was initially scheduled to take effect on December 30, 2024. However, micro and small enterprises were given an additional six months, extending their compliance deadline to June 2025.
In October, concerns from Member States and businesses prompted the European Council to propose a one-year delay in implementing the regulation. By November, the European Parliament agreed to adjust the timeline:
That said, negotiations are still ongoing as of this writing. The European Parliament has referred the matter back to the committee for further discussions with other institutions. For these changes to take effect, the revised text must receive approval from both the Council and Parliament before being published in the EU’s Official Journal.
The European Deforestation and Forest Degradation Regulation (EUDR) represents a bold move by the European Union to safeguard global forests. At Bong, we view this as an opportunity to enhance our supply chains by incorporating more stringent environmental standards, aligning with the responsible purchasing goals outlined in our CSR report.
By prioritizing raw material traceability, we’re not only reinforcing our CSR commitments but also responding to the rising demand from customers for sustainable and transparent practices. Building on the earlier implementation of the PPWR regulation—discussed in this article—the EUDR reaffirms the EU’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and supporting a greener future.
De Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, de Verordening inzake Verpakkingen en Verpakkingsafval) werd onderworpen aan een stemming door het Europees Parlement op 22 november 2023. We gaan dieper in op de belangrijkste maatregelen en verplichtingen die zijn vastgelegd door de PPWR voor Europese landen en economische organisaties.
Följ Bong Retail Solutions på LinkedIn för att för att få veta mer om förpackningslösningar och PPWR-regler!
For almost two years now, Bong and the ESAT of Eure have been collaborating to promote inclusion and access to work for all. Bong welcomes workers with disabilities to its factory near Evreux, in Normandy and installed finishing machines within the ESAT.
After defining an ambitious CSR policy, Bong launched its permaculture project and created, with the involvement of collaborators, a vegetable garden to grow fresh fruits and vegetables. A perfect way to learn, share good moments as a team, raise awareness about the preservation of biodiversity and promote healthy eating.
De Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, de Verordening inzake Verpakkingen en Verpakkingsafval) werd onderworpen aan een stemming door het Europees Parlement op 22 november 2023. We gaan dieper in op de belangrijkste maatregelen en verplichtingen die zijn vastgelegd door de PPWR voor Europese landen en economische organisaties.
Vi kan nu stolt presentera vår nya CSR-rapport, en översikt över de initiativ som har genomförts under 2022 och 2023 tillsammans med våra kunder, personal och berörda partners. Ladda ner den senaste CSR-rapporten från Bong!
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