Quality assurance and certification provider Intertek announced the launch of a new suite of tools aimed at helping companies to comply with the supply chain management requirements of the EU’s new Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to go into effect at the end of the year.

The EUDR was initially introduced by the EU Commission in November, 2021, with proposals aimed at effectively banning deforestation-linked projects on the EU market. The measure will also establish strong compliance requirements for companies providing or utilizing key commodities and products such as palm oil, beef, timber, coffee, cocoa, rubber and soy, in addition to some of their derived products, including leather, chocolate, tires, or furniture.

Under the new rules, companies that want to place relevant products on the EU market, or export them, will face mandatory due diligence rules, including a requirement to trace the products back to the land where they were produced, to prove that the products were produced on land that was not subject to deforestation after 2020, and are compliant with all relevant applicable laws in force in the country of production.

The regulation was initially set to go into effect at the end of 2024, although the European Commission has proposed delaying its implementation by a year to give companies more time to prepare for compliance with the new rules.

Intertek’s new offerings include its blockchain supply chain mapping tool, EUDRtrace, providing guidance and traceability technology to ensure that products meet EUDR standards, and allowing due diligence statements to be uploaded to the European Commission’s single window system for streamlined reporting.

The company’s offerings also include assurance services for EUDR compliance, including consulting services, gap assessment, risk assessment and training programs, and inspection and certification services, including site-specific audits, surveys and inspections to assess and reduce deforestation risk and verify regulatory compliance, and independent verification of product origins.

Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President of Assurance, Sustainability, AgriWorld and Food at Intertek, said:

“Intertek’s EUDR solutions are not only a response to customer demand but also a testament to our commitment to leadership in Total Quality Assurance, underpinned by our passion for sustainability and dedication to compliance with critical environmental regulations. The new EU regulation is a crucial step towards halting deforestation and helping companies safeguard their market position while protecting our natural resources. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties – it’s about leading the way towards a sustainable, deforestation-free future.”