Preparedness check of the commercial forestry sector in Vietnam for the EU Deforestation Regulation

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), in force since June 2023, prohibits placing coffee and other commodities on the EU market unless they are deforestation-free, legally produced, and supported by due diligence and traceability information. Its main obligations will apply from December 2026, with extended timelines for small operators. 

This preparedness check aims to identify the main challenges in the commercial timber and timber products (TTP) sector in Vietnam, including administrative and technical gaps. In practical terms, this means assessing the extent to which information needed for establishing deforestation-free production and conducting due diligence is accessible to operators, and whether there are any significant information gaps that the GOV may need to address. This is because it is operators who have the legal obligation to conduct due diligence, which is verified by competent authorities within EU Member States.