4C EUDR Solution

Navigating EUDR with 4C

4C offers comprehensive support for EUDR compliance

From 30 December 2025* (for large and medium companies, + 6 months for SME traders and operators), EU requires that, among others, coffee and cocoa commodities are deforestation free and produced in accordance with national laws of the country of production.

*The EU is considering a second postponement, which would require approval by European Parliament and EU member states. For more details, check the updates below.

What is EUDR?

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

As a major global economy and consumer of commodities linked to deforestation and forest degradation, such as coffee and cocoa, the EU recognises its responsibility in addressing this global issue. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) establishes a legal framework to combat deforestation by ensuring that exports and imports are both deforestation-free and compliant with local laws.

Scope

Products placed on the EU market shall be:

Deforestation-free

(produced without contributing to deforestation after 31 December 2020)

Legal

(in compliance with the relevant laws of the country of production)

Traceable

(Geolocation data of the area of production must be available)

Due Diligence

1

Collection of information, data and documents

2

Risk assessment based on collected information

3

Mitigate and manage the risk

If non-negligible risk is identified

Producers

Must ensure compliance with no-deforestation practices

Traders and Importers

Must conduct due diligence to prove the supply chain is deforestation-free

Retailers

Must verify that products they sell meet EUDR requirements

Consult the official EUDR regulation on the European Union website

EU Website

Key Updates from EU

The European Union has announced its intention to postpone for the second time the implementation of its anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR), extending the deadline by one year to the end of 2026.

The suggested delay in implementing the legislation is due to ongoing concerns about the readiness of the supporting IT infrastructure, which the European Commission states has technical issues processing the large volume of information from businesses.

First, the delay must be officially proposed by the EU Commission for the proposal to enter into negotiations between the European Parliament and the EU member states.

Find more information here.

No coffee or cocoa producing countries are classified as high risk.

Simplified procedure for operators sourcing from low-risk countries (e.g. Vietnam) as less extensive risk assessment and mitigation is required.

Find more information here

Simplifications for downstream operators reducing administrative burden

Updated Guidance Document & FAQs (15.04.2025)

Proposal to take sample of products out of scope (e.g. coffee samples send for quality and flavour profile checks)

Find more information here

4C has proactively adapted its system to be fully aligned with EUDR requirements, building on its existing standard and due diligence framework, and has introduced a One-Stop EUDR solution for its system users.

We support EU importing operators and producers with a tailor-made approach to fulfil EUDR requirements. Combining the 4C certification with advanced geo-analytics from our partner organisation Global Risk Assessment Services (GRAS) provides a comprehensive risk assessment framework.

Risk Assessment

Our 4C EUDR solution leverages state-of-the-art remote sensing technology to monitor deforestation and land use change, providing robust risk analysis through satellite image interpretation. This is enhanced by data on national legislation, human rights statistics, indigenous peoples’ claims, corruption indices, law enforcement, and land conflicts.

Legality

Legality is assured through the 4C Code of Conduct and on-side audits, ensuring producers operate within the bounds of local and international regulations. This is further supported by tailored EUDR self-assessments and self-declaration for the 4C Unit.

Traceability

Traceability – a crucial part of the 4C certification – is achieved by capturing and documenting all supply chain transactions within the secure 4C Portal. Only physical segregation along the supply chain is allowed within the 4C System, preventing mixing with products from unknown origin.

Compliance Report

To simplify reporting, our platform generates ready-to-upload geodata files in the required format for the EU Information System TRACES. Third-party certification combined with geo-analytics form the foundation for a strong due diligence case – bridging the gap between advanced technology and real-world on-the-ground expertise.