The EU Deforestation Regulation ensures that the products being imported or exported into the EU market are not contributing to deforestation or forest degradation. 

 

There are seven core commodities that it targets:

• Cattle

• Cocoa

• Coffee

• Palm oil

• Soy

• Wood

• Rubber

 

This includes products that contain these components, like furniture, chocolate, and leather goods. 

 

This places the responsibility on the base product supplier and manufacturers to have full transparency and accountability throughout the entire supply chain. They are required to prove the point of origin and each transfer point of the product, and legal ownership of the land. Each area of the product's life cycle, before reaching the customer, has to be assessed for its possible impact on deforestation and compliance with local governance. If risks are found, companies must respond with a change of supplier or provide new data that can show otherwise.

 

For large and medium-sized companies, this is already in place, as of the 30th of December, 2025, but there is a grace period until the 30th of June, 2026, before authorities will conduct checks. For small and micro-sized businesses, the regulations come into effect on the same June date, but full checks will begin on the 30th of December, 2026. Non-compliance comes with the risk of limited market access, seizure of goods, or fines.

 

What does that mean for the retail industry?

 

 

By the end of 2026, all companies that operate or trade in the EU will need to be compliant. With this affecting everyone, it is important to check your own systems. This forces demand for compliant product suppliers in a wide range of industries, alongside new technologies for transparency. Giving a larger market share and a chance to grow your business.

 

Specifically, fashion and apparel, cosmetics, household products, and food products are being impacted the most. At White Label World Expo, these are some of our biggest sectors with strong demand and even more so with the new regulations. If you are a compliant supplier, then find out how to get involved with exhibiting here.