UK government to introduce mandatory due diligence regime targeting deforestation in supply chains

The government has announced plans to introduce a mandatory due diligence regime targeting deforestation in supply chains (also known as the Forest Risk Commodities Scheme). 

Businesses operating in Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) with an annual turnover exceeding £1 million that use or place forest risk commodities — including cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy, and wood, as well as derived products such as chocolate and furniture — on the market would be required to conduct due diligence to ensure compliance with relevant local laws. This includes collecting detailed supply chain information and geolocation data identifying the origin of products. 

Notably, Northern Ireland will be subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). 

While the GB regime is broadly designed to align with the EUDR, a key distinction is that it will initially focus only on illegal deforestation (i.e. compliance with local laws in the country of production), rather than adopting the EUDR's wider requirement that products be entirely deforestation-free — though the UK government has indicated it may move towards that standard in due course. 

The framework will be developed in stages, with a detailed consultation expected later in 2026 and legislation in 2027. 

For more information, see Government press release and policy statement.