Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation (EUDR) is intended to minimise global deforestation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent biodiversity loss.

EUDR sets rules on products being placed on the EU market or being exported from the EU if they are produced from commodities which pose a risk of deforestation anywhere in the world. The Regulation covers a wide range of products listed in Annex I and is particularly relevant for the food and timber industries.

The 7 relevant commodities covered under EUDR are:

• cattle;
• cocoa;
• coffee;
• palm oil;
• rubber;
• soya; and

Originally intended for implementation at the end of 2024 the EU Parliament voted on 14^th November 2024 to make amendments to EUDR, extending the implementation deadlines to:

• 30^th December 2025 for medium and large organisations; and
• 30^th June 2026 for micro and small enterprises.

In addition to delaying implementation dates, the EU Parliament also agreed to include less stringent requirements when importing products from countries classified as ‘no risk’. The EU’s benchmarking of countries for EUDR is scheduled to be finalised by 20^th June 2025.

N.B. EUDR replaces the EU Timber Regulation (Regulation (EU) 995/2010) expanding requirements and the scope of products covered. Timber product types not covered under the EU Timber Regulation but now covered under EUDR are exempt from EUDR provided they were produced before 29^th June 2023. Products covered by the EU Timber Regulation produced before 29^th June 2023 are covered by that regulation until 31^st December 2027, after which point they are covered by EUDR.

EUDR Rules

The rules apply directly to organisations established in any EU country who place products on the market or export them (EU operators and traders), but is relevant to all organisations within the entire supply chain, regardless of where in the world they are based.

EU operators and traders must ensure that relevant products and commodities are:

• deforestation-free;
• produced legally in the country of production; and
• covered by a due diligence statement.

EU operators and traders must prove products are compliant through the collection of information, documents and data and using this assess the risk of products being non-compliant. This includes being able to trace products and commodities back to their source. Records must be kept for 5 years.

Non-EU organisations who manufacture and supply relevant products and commodities up the supply chain will need to support EU organisations by providing evidence to prove where goods originated from, that they are deforestation-free and have been produced legally. Exporting relevant products and commodities to the EU which cannot be verified for compliance runs the risk of the goods being stopped by customs, or rejected by EU customers.

Additional information on EUDR can be found on the European Commission website here.

Lithium batteries are a common feature in our modern world, powering everything from mobile phones to vehicles.

 

Given the potential safety and environmental risks posed by batteries, we’re regularly asked about the key requirements for safe transportation, storage and disposal.

 

In this article we will look at the key requirements to minimise risk and ensure compliance.

 

Transportation

 

Lithium ion batteries with a nominal capacity exceeding 100 Wh and lithium metal batteries containing over 2g of lithium are classed as dangerous goods (Class 9), as such there are strict requirements for transporting them via road, air, sea and rail.

 

Simplified requirements apply for other lithium batteries that do not reach these thresholds.

 

The rules for transporting dangerous goods are complex, with duties placed on those who send, transport, and receive dangerous goods. Requirements include strict special instructions and packaging instructions, which must be applied when transporting batteries. 

 

The appointment of a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) is required for any activities involving the transportation of dangerous goods.

 

General requirements for shipping and transporting batteries include that they must:

• be labelled correctly, using the relevant battery label based on the UN classification, and where required, a class 9 dangerous goods label;
• only be transported by those licensed if classed as dangerous goods; and
• be carried in accordance with legal requirements, adhering to special provisions and packaging instructions.

 

The UN classifications for the transport of lithium batteries are:

• Lithium ion batteries
  • UN 3480 – batteries shipped by themselves
  • UN 3481 – batteries shipped in equipment, or packed with equipment
• Lithium metal batteries
  • UN 3090 – batteries shipped by themselves
  • UN 3091 – batteries shipped in equipment, or packed with equipment