What is the EUDR and does it affect fashion?
The EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) requires companies to prove that certain commodities and products placed on the EU market are deforestation-free and legally produced.
In short
The EUDR, the EU Deforestation Regulation, requires operators placing certain commodities and derived products on the EU market to show through due diligence that they are deforestation-free and legally produced, including geolocation of production plots. For fashion, its direct relevance narrowed when the Commission removed cattle hides, skins and leather from scope in 2026.
How does it work in practice?
Operators collect information on where commodities were produced, assess and mitigate risk, and submit due diligence statements through the EU information system. Amendments introduced a lighter category of downstream operators who process products already covered by due diligence and must keep supplier information.
- Medium and large operators: apply from 30 December 2026.
- Micro and small operators: apply from 30 June 2027.
- Leather: cattle hides, skins and leather removed from scope by a delegated act adopted on 13 July 2026, subject to scrutiny by Parliament and Council.
- Downstream operators: reduced obligations, with record keeping and registration for non-SMEs.
Why does it matter for fashion businesses?
Leather goods and footwear brands had prepared for EUDR traceability, and the scope change alters those plans. Other covered commodities, such as rubber and wood, can still appear in footwear components, accessories and packaging, so product teams should check their materials against the current annex.
How is AI changing it?
AI supports EUDR compliance by matching product codes to the regulation's scope, extracting supplier and origin data from documents and analysing satellite imagery to assess deforestation risk at plot level.
Common pitfalls
Relying on outdated scope lists, assuming the leather change removes all obligations and lacking geolocation data from suppliers are typical risks. The regulation has changed several times, so status should be checked regularly. Teams should keep an up-to-date record of the scope decision for each product group, with the legal reference used, so customs and compliance questions can be answered quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Is leather covered by the EUDR?
No longer. On 13 July 2026 the European Commission adopted a delegated act removing cattle hides, skins and leather from the EUDR's product scope, applying after a scrutiny period by Parliament and Council.
When does the EUDR apply?
Following amendments, the EUDR applies to medium and large operators from 30 December 2026 and to micro and small operators from 30 June 2027.