EUDR in the packaging supply chain: How to ensure compliance and market advantage?
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, known as EUDR, is the new reality for companies using wood-based raw materials. EUDR in the packaging supply chain represents a fundamental shift in responsibility for products entering the EU market. The regulation imposes strict obligations on operators. They must demonstrate that their raw materials did not originate from land deforested after December 31, 2020.
Wood as a regulated raw material under EUDR in the packaging supply chain
In the packaging industry, wood and derived products—including cellulose used in thermoforming—are subject to strict control. Each batch of raw material must be assigned to a specific production plot through geolocation. Therefore, packaging manufacturers must maintain a full audit trail from the forest to the final product. Consequently, this forces the digitization of the supply chain and the effective implementation of traceability systems.
Simplifications and challenges: EUDR in the packaging supply chain
Although EUDR is often perceived as restrictive, the legislator has provided mechanisms to streamline the process for low-risk operators.
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Risk assessment system: Countries are classified by risk level. If raw materials originate from low-risk areas, due diligence obligations are simplified.
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Supply chain cooperation: The regulation promotes data exchange between suppliers and processors, which allows for the efficient sharing of the burden of proof.
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Certification standards: FSC or PEFC certificates do not automatically exempt companies from EU requirements. However, they constitute a key element of the due diligence verification process and significantly reduce costs.
Business benefits: Why choose a certified supplier?
Choosing a partner that implements EUDR in the packaging supply chain is a strategic decision with measurable benefits:
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Elimination of financial risk: Non-compliance with EUDR involves fines of up to 4% of total EU turnover. Partnering with a supplier that has established data verification systems shifts this responsibility to the technology partner.
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Reputation and ESG: Consumers increasingly demand proof that packaging does not contribute to global deforestation. Supply transparency provides a strong marketing argument in non-financial reporting.
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Supply continuity: Suppliers adapted to new regulations have better-inventoried raw material sources. This translates into greater predictability regarding the availability of certified cellulose.
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Competitive advantage: Documented traceability is currently a key factor in winning tenders in the FMCG and luxury goods sectors.
Choosing a thermoformed pulp partner that operates based on a fully compliant supply chain is no longer just a matter of ethics. It is, above all, a safeguard for business continuity and brand equity. Contact us today.
