The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) aims to reduce global deforestation and forest degradation by ensuring that certain products placed on, made available on, or exported from the EU market are not linked to deforestation. The regulation applies to seven relevant commodities: wood, cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber and soy, as well as a range of derived products.
As a producer of wood-based products, Moelven supports the objectives of the regulation and is working closely with forest owners, suppliers, customers and authorities to implement EUDR requirements across our operations in Sweden and Norway.
Moelven is committed to complying with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (EUDR). The regulation entered into force on 29 June 2023 and will apply from 30 December 2026 for large and medium-sized companies. Micro and small enterprises have until 30 June 2027 to comply.
Traceability is a key element of EUDR. This enables operators and authorities to verify that products originate from areas that comply with the EUDR requirements regarding deforestation and forest degradation. Products covered by the regulation, such as timber, sawn wood, panels, paper and other wood-based products, must be traceable back to the plot of land where the timber was harvested. Information related to origin and compliance is transferred through the supply chain and must be maintained by relevant operators and traders.
EUDR was originally scheduled to apply from 30 December 2024. Moelven initiated its EUDR compliance programme based on the original implementation timeline and has continued to prepare for compliance throughout the subsequent postponements and regulatory updates. This has included adapting processes, systems and data exchange solutions in line with the evolving requirements related to geolocation data, supply chain traceability, communication with the EU Information System (TRACES), and other practical implementation aspects clarified by EU authorities over time.
All timber purchased by Moelven originates in Sweden and Norway and is, as a minimum, controlled in accordance with applicable controlled wood requirements set out in recognised chain‑of‑custody standards such as PEFC CoC and/or FSC® CoC. These systems support traceability and risk assessment, but do not replace the requirements of the EUDR.
Under EUDR, responsibilities vary depending on a company's role in the supply chain. Forest owners and other upstream operators are responsible for carrying out due diligence and submitting Due Diligence Statements (DDS) or, where applicable, simplified due diligence information. Downstream operators and traders are generally required to maintain traceability, keep relevant records and ensure that products can be linked to the information provided earlier in the supply chain.
The role of a company under EUDR may vary depending on the specific product flow and transaction. The same company may act as an upstream operator in some supply chains and as a downstream operator in others.
For many wood products sold by Moelven, Moelven operates downstream in the value chain, processing timber that has already been covered by due diligence statements upstream. Our role is therefore primarily focused on maintaining traceability, retaining relevant reference information, fulfilling applicable registration requirements and ensuring that information can be passed on to customers and authorities when required.
However, Moelven may also have other roles under EUDR depending on the product flow. For example, where a Moelven company imports a relevant product from a supplier located outside the EU and subsequently places that product on the EU market, the Moelven company will normally act as the upstream operator under the EUDR. In this situation, Moelven is responsible for conducting due diligence, obtaining the required traceability information, and submitting the relevant Due Diligence Statement (DDS) before the product is placed on the EU market.
EUDR applies in the European Union. While EUDR does not yet apply directly in Norway, the Norwegian government stated its intention to implement the EEA-relevant parts of the regulation through the EEA Agreement, and the legislative process is currently underway.
Moelven has subsidiaries in both Sweden and Norway, with significant cross-border flows of timber and wood products between the two countries. Maintaining traceability and EUDR compliance across national borders is therefore a key element of our EUDR preparations. We continue to adapt and refine our processes, IT systems and data exchange solutions as the practical requirements for EUDR compliance become clearer. This work ensures that Moelven remains prepared to meet regulatory requirements and provide relevant EUDR-related information to customers and other stakeholders.
We work closely with suppliers and customers to ensure that relevant EUDR information is available when required. For customers with EUDR obligations, Moelven will provide the relevant reference information and traceability documentation in accordance with the regulation.
EUDR obligations vary depending on a company's role in the supply chain. For detailed guidance on operators, traders, due diligence requirements and traceability obligations, please visit the European Commission's official EUDR websites:
Øivind Østby-Berntsen, Environmental Manager - Digitalisation and Sustainability
Oivind.Ostby-Berntsen@moelven.no
Inge Hanstad, Engineer - Timber
inge.hanstad@moelven.no
Rune F. Andersen, Chief sustainability officer
rune-f.andersen@moelven.com