UK Forest Risk Commodity Regulation: Compliance Deadline Looms
UK importers and retailers of timber, palm oil, soy, cocoa, rubber, and cattle products face new due-diligence duties under the Forest Risk Commodity regime.
The UK Forest Risk Commodity Regulation imposes supply-chain due-diligence obligations on businesses placing forest-risk commodities on the UK market, mirroring the EU Deforestation Regulation but with distinct scope and timing. Covered entities must map products to land plots, conduct risk assessments, and file due-diligence statements before import or placement on the UK market. Penalties include fines, product withdrawal, and disqualification of directors. Companies should audit their commodity sourcing, build traceability systems, and align supplier contracts with the new evidentiary requirements. Non-EU firms with UK distribution channels are within scope, making early gap analysis critical ahead of enforcement.