To ensure that products they place on the market do not cause deforestation, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires companies to conduct due diligence. Companies will need to collect evidence that the product is traceable, deforestation-free, and legal.

Under a benchmarking process, cacao producing countries or regions will be categorised according to the extent and risk of deforestation. Companies that supply cocoa from high-risk areas will be required to complete more due diligence steps than those that buy from low-risk areas.

The EUDR will come into force on December 30, 2024.

Five facts about the EU Sustainable Cocoa Programme in Ghana

1. Cocoa is one of the biggest contributors to deforestation in Ghana.
2. Ghana exported 62% of the cocoa it produced to the EU in 2022.
3. 90% of  global deforestation is driven by the increase of agricultural land.
4. The EUDR accelerates Ghana’s goals for sustainable cocoa production.
5. The EUDR must comply with the relevant laws of Ghana.

Further information about EUDR

• To learn more about the EUDR and the European Sustainable Cocao initiative, follow the link to the digital download called The EU Sustainable Cocoa Programme in Ghana (PDF).
• The EUDR comes into force on December 30, 2024. For more detailed information about the new law, follow this link to the page about the Implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation.