UK Proposes Mandatory Deforestation Checks for Global Supply Chains

The UK government has launched a consultation on mandatory due diligence requirements to prevent products linked to illegal deforestation from entering Great Britain's supply chains. Announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on 11 November 2026 during COP31 in Antalya, the proposals would require businesses handling forest-risk commodities, including soy, palm oil, cattle products, cocoa, timber, coffee and rubber, to assess whether their supply chains contribute to illegal forest clearance overseas.

The announcement follows government estimates showing that UK consumption was associated with approximately 29,000 hectares of deforestation worldwide in 2023, generating an estimated 9.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions. These commodities are widely used in food, cosmetics, toiletries and other consumer products, making supply chain oversight an important part of the country's wider climate and biodiversity commitments.

 

Mandatory Due Diligence for Forest-Risk Commodities

 

The proposed regulations would introduce due diligence obligations under existing legislative powers, including the Environment Act 2021. Businesses within scope would be expected to identify, assess and mitigate risks of illegal deforestation in their commodity supply chains. The consultation also proposes strengthening the UK Timber Regulation to improve oversight of timber and related products.

The government is seeking feedback on which businesses and products should be covered, how due diligence systems should operate and the potential compliance costs. The measures would build on voluntary corporate commitments already adopted by some major retailers and manufacturers, while establishing clearer regulatory expectations across affected industries.

 

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UK Seeks to Reduce Deforestation-Linked Emissions

 

The proposals form part of the UK's commitment, made alongside 144 other countries at COP26 in Glasgow, to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030. Protecting forests is considered important for carbon storage, biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of communities dependent on forest ecosystems.

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle said, "British consumers want to feel confident that the everyday goods they buy are not driving devastating illegal deforestation abroad, and so we are stepping in to give them that certainty."

 

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Alignment With EU Deforestation Regulations

 

The government is also seeking to coordinate its proposed Great Britain framework with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is scheduled to begin applying in Northern Ireland in phases from 30 December 2026. The objective is to minimize unnecessary administrative burdens and maintain consistency across the UK internal market.

A key distinction is that the proposed Great Britain regime focuses on preventing illegal deforestation under relevant producer-country laws, while the EUDR sets broader deforestation-free requirements. The UK government has indicated it intends to move towards a deforestation-free standard over time, although it has not confirmed an implementation timetable.

The consultation remains open until 17 January 2027, allowing businesses, environmental organizations and international stakeholders to provide feedback before the government finalizes its approach. If introduced, the regulations would increase expectations for supply chain transparency and commodity traceability, particularly for companies sourcing agricultural and forest products from regions exposed to deforestation risks.

 

Source: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, UK