Imagine a land area the size of the European Union. More than that much forest has been lost globally due to deforestation during the past three decades. The area equates to around 10% of the world’s forests. Deforestation is also reportedly responsible for around 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

As a major development in its efforts to combat deforestation and forest degradation globally, the European Union is introducing EUDR, short for the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115). The regulation entered into force on 29 June 2023 and is currently in a transition period that ends on 30 December 2025. The original application date 30 December 2024 was postponed by twelve months as per Regulation (EU) 2024/3234.

EUDR replaces the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR, Regulation (EU) 995/2010) and extends mandatory due diligence requirements to new commodities. Under EUDR relevant commodities, such as wood, or products that contain or have been made using such relevant commodities, will be prohibited to be placed on the EU market or exported from the EU unless they meet the following criteria:

An 18-month transition period began when the EUDR entered into force on 29 June 2023. This transition period was extended by 12 months in late 2024 and it will end with the new date of application on 30 December 2025.

Please note that, for small and micro undertakings, the transition period is six months longer – i.e., to 30 June 2026 – if relevant products are not yet subject to EUTR. Find more information on the timelines of EUDR implementation here.

Responsible sourcing is a top priority for UPM and UPM Raflatac. We are aware of and committed to the obligations set in the EUDR. During the transition period, a dedicated project team is assessing the requirements and taking necessary measures to be compliant with the regulation by 30 December 2025. 

We are working on processes from sourcing to the customer end to meet all regulatory requirements and to ensure necessary data will be available to customers within the required timeline, subject to the delivery of the final instructions by the EU Commission.

Please be aware that our comments refer to EUDR compliance related to the supply of labelstock and other self-adhesive products to our direct customers based on UPM Raflatac’s interpretation of publicly available information on EUDR in EU sources. We recommend customers consider their own EUDR obligations when selling products to their own customers. UPM Raflatac does not offer legal advice or consult on EUDR compliance. We recommend requesting guidance from the EU or a third party when determining the impact of the regulation to your own business activities.

This section answers to frequently asked questions from UPM Raflatac customers (last update 16.01.2025). In addition, please see our UPM Group statement on EUDR and the UPM Group EUDR Q&A on this UPM web page.

Please find here the EUDR legislative text (including Annex I and II) as well as the amendments by the EU from December 2024.