Important deadline
Large and medium companies in Romania must be EUDR compliant by December 30, 2026. Do not delay preparations – implementing a complete due diligence system takes between 3 and 9 months.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation – known as EUDR – is one of the most ambitious environmental laws ever adopted by the European Union. Adopted in May 2023 and entering into force in June 2023, EUDR fundamentally changes the rules for companies trading certain agricultural and forestry products on the EU market.
Unlike its predecessor – the EUTR Illegal Timber Regulation (EU) 995/2010 – EUDR applies not only to timber but also to cattle, soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee and natural rubber. Moreover, it introduces a new and specific requirement: geolocation of production plots through GPS coordinates.
For Romanian companies operating in the forestry, wood industry or importing any of these commodities, EUDR is not optional. This guide explains everything you need to know: who is affected, what you need to do, what non-compliant companies risk, and how to prepare efficiently.
EUDR Timeline: Key Deadlines
EUDR deadlines were postponed from the original schedule. Here is the updated situation:
EUDR enters into force
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 published in the EU Official Journal. Replaces the EUTR Timber Regulation on illegal logging.
Initial deadline – postponed
Original deadline for large and medium companies. Postponed by 1 year due to industry pressure and the need to prepare the EU IT system.
Large/medium company deadline
Large and medium operators and traders must be fully compliant. Due diligence statements become mandatory in the EU Information System.
Micro/small enterprise deadline
Small and micro enterprises (under 50 employees, under €10M turnover) must be compliant. Simplified procedures available.
Who is affected by EUDR?
EUDR applies to all companies that place on the EU market or export from the EU any of the following commodities or products derived from them:
Wood and wood products
timber, furniture, paper, pulp, panels, firewood
Cattle
beef, hides, leather products
Soy
beans, meal, oil, soy-based feed
Palm oil
crude and refined oil, derivatives for cosmetics and food
Cocoa
beans, butter, chocolate and cocoa products
Coffee
raw and roasted beans, extracts, coffee-based products
Natural rubber
latex, vulcanized rubber, tires, gloves
Operators vs. Traders
Operators
Place the product on the EU market for the first time or export it. Full due diligence obligations.
Traders
Resell products already placed on the EU market. Simplified due diligence if the product already has a declaration.
What EUDR Requires
EUDR introduces a structured three-step due diligence system, plus the obligation to geolocate production plots. This is the essence of the regulation:
EUDR novelty: Mandatory geolocation
Unlike EUTR, EUDR requires GPS coordinates (polygons or points) for each plot of land where the commodity was produced. This is the most challenging requirement for many companies, especially when suppliers are from third countries.
Information collection
GPS coordinates (polygons) of all production plots, quantities, suppliers, countries of origin, CN customs codes.
Risk assessment
Analysis of the likelihood that products originate from areas deforested after Dec 31, 2020 or from illegal logging.
Risk mitigation
If risk is not negligible: additional measures (audits, contracts, certifications) to bring risk to a negligible level.
Due diligence statement
Submission of the statement to the EU Information System before any market placement or export.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
EUDR provides for a significantly more severe penalty regime compared to EUTR. The competent national authorities in EU member states are responsible for enforcing these penalties:
Financial fines
Up to 4% of the company's total annual EU turnover. Minimum fine of €50,000 for serious violations.
Confiscation
Confiscation of non-compliant products and revenues obtained from their sale.
Exclusion from procurement
Temporary exclusion from public procurement contracts and tenders. Loss of access to public funding.
Activity prohibition
Temporary prohibition from placing products on the EU market or exporting them during investigation.
How FSC/PEFC Certification Helps with EUDR Compliance
FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certifications are recognized as valuable tools in the EUDR context, but their relationship with EUDR compliance requires clear understanding.
What FSC/PEFC certification does
- Demonstrates the legality of timber origin
- Proves responsible forest management practices
- Provides documented traceability on the chain of custody
- Reduces perceived risk by authorities in due diligence assessment
- Covers the legality verification requirement of EUDR
What certification alone does NOT do
- Does not replace the obligation to submit the due diligence statement
- Does not provide GPS coordinates of production plots
- Does not perform EUDR-specific deforestation risk assessment
- Does not register the company in the EU IT System
- Does not cover non-forestry commodities (soy, cocoa, etc.)
Practical conclusion
FSC or PEFC certification is a major competitive advantage in the EUDR context and significantly reduces the due diligence effort. But companies must combine certification with the implementation of a specific EUDR system: GPS collection, risk assessment, declarations in the EU system.
How Sustainability Today Helps
Sustainability Today offers an integrated service package that combines FSC/PEFC certification with specific support for EUDR compliance. You don't have to navigate a complex regulation alone.
FSC/PEFC group certification
Join the certification group for a fraction of the individual certification cost. The optimal solution for SMEs.
Digital traceability platform
Digital system for chain of custody management, GPS data collection and EUDR documentation preparation.
EUDR consulting
Readiness assessment, assistance in building the due diligence system and preparation of declarations.
Audit and verification
Independent verification of internal processes to ensure compliance before authority inspections.
EUDR Preparation Checklist
Use this checklist to assess your company's readiness. Each checked item brings you closer to full compliance:
Need help with any of these items? The Sustainability Today team can guide you step by step.
Romania's Situation Under EUDR
Frequently Asked Questions about EUDR
When does EUDR take effect?
The regulation entered into force in June 2023, but application deadlines were postponed. Large and medium companies must comply by December 30, 2026. Micro and small enterprises have until June 30, 2027.
Who is affected by EUDR?
Any company that imports, exports or trades in the EU products from wood, cattle, soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee or natural rubber. Both operators (placing on the EU market for the first time) and traders (reselling) are obligated.
How do I prepare for EUDR?
Essential steps: (1) identify affected products, (2) map the supply chain, (3) collect GPS coordinates from suppliers, (4) assess deforestation risk, (5) document the entire process, and (6) submit due diligence statements in the EU system.
Does FSC or PEFC certification help with EUDR compliance?
Yes, significantly. FSC or PEFC certification demonstrates the legality of origin and responsible forest management practices, which supports the EUDR due diligence process. However, certification alone does not replace the obligation to submit due diligence statements in the EU system and collect GPS coordinates.
What penalties are provided?
EUDR penalties are severe: fines of up to 4% of annual EU turnover, confiscation of products and generated revenues, temporary exclusion from public procurement, and temporary prohibition of market placement activity. Member states may also apply criminal penalties.
Is Romania a high-risk country?
No. Romania is classified as a "standard risk" country under EUDR classification. This means Romanian companies must apply standard due diligence procedures, not the extended ones (applicable to high-risk countries). Imported products from other countries may be assessed differently depending on their classification.
Does EUDR replace EUTR (EU Timber Regulation)?
Yes. EUDR repeals and replaces Regulation (EU) No. 995/2010 (EUTR), extending the scope from timber to 7 commodity categories and introducing the requirement to geolocate production plots.
Prepare for EUDR now
Contact the Sustainability Today team for a free EUDR readiness assessment of your company and find out the concrete steps you need to follow.
Or call directly:
+40 701 543 735