EUDR

WHAT IS EUDR?​

The EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) aims to prevent the import and sale of products on the EU market that are linked to deforestation or forest degradation. This applies to commodities such as: soy, palm oil, timber, cattle, coffee, cocoa, and rubber. Companies wishing to place these products on the EU market must, through a due diligence process, demonstrate that the risk of a link to deforestation after the cutoff date of December 31, 2020, is negligible.

A product can only be placed on the EU market if:

• It is deforestation-free, meaning it was not produced on land that was deforested or degraded after December 31, 2020
• It has been legally produced, in accordance with the relevant laws of the country of origin
• It is covered by a due diligence statement that ensures full traceability of the supply chain, including geolocation data for every production plot: For plots larger than 4 hectares: polygon coordinates must be provided, with sufficient precision to define the boundaries. For plots 4 hectares or smaller: a single latitude and longitude point is sufficient
   

These requirements apply to all commodities covered by the EUDR, not just coffee.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?​

Deforestation and forest degradation are among the main drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss – two of the most pressing environmental crises of our time. Through the EUDR, the EU aims to reduce its environmental footprint and promote sustainable global trade.

WHEN DOES THE REGULATION COME INTO EFFECT?

• For large companies: from December 30, 2025
• For micro and small enterprises: from June 30, 2026

WHAT IS OUR ROLE AS TOUTON SPECIALTY COFFEE?​

We, as the Touton group, are firmly committed to supporting the implementation of the EUDR as part of its fight against deforestation. The key elements of the EUDR are risk assessment and the adoption of preventive and remedial measures to achieve a zero or negligible deforestation risk level, allowing products to be exported to the European Union market.

Touton is actively preparing for the entry into force of the EUDR, which will have an impact on day-to-day cocoa and coffee operations, notably by setting up a cross-functional working group:

• by defining roles and responsibilities for implementing and complying with requirements
• by combining the expertise of different departments: IT, back office, sustainable development, legal and compliance, audit, etc.;
• Involving not only of our head office, but also of our subsidiaries and suppliers in producer countries
• Developing a reliable and verifiable internal methodology for the risk assessment matrix around three themes: traceability, deforestation, and legality​

GETTING READY FOR EUDR!

IMPORTERS (Non-SMEs)

• Collect geolocation data (GPS point or polygon) for each batch of product
• Conduct a risk assessment, including checks on legality and land rights (e.g. indigenous populations, where legally protected)
• Implement mitigation measures to reduce identified risks to a negligible level

ROASTERS AND RETAILERS

• It is more important than ever to work with trusted and transparent partners, such as Touton Specialty Coffee, who can help ensure full compliance.
• Once importers have submitted their due diligence statements to the EU Due Diligence Information System, reference numbers will be issued for each lot.
• Downstream market participants (e.g. roasters) will receive these reference numbers and must verify that due diligence has been performed — they remain legally responsible in the event of a violation.