FAQ: EUDR for CBs

Our most recent public webinar went through our deforestation risk mapping methodology. Best to refer to that: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EUDR-Webinar-January-2024.pdf

The EU is not prescriptive about what maps to use, but have suggested Copernicus as an option, which is one of the maps we use in our layering.

Minor conversion for agriculture is not allowed. This stated clearly on RA EUDR webpage: “Farm Certificate Holders who choose these self-selected criteria will no longer be able to make use of our current allowance for “minor conversion” of land to agricultural use after the EUDR cut-off date.”

What may be confusing, is that minor conversion for infrastructure under that same annex is still possible

Language from EUDR FAQ question 48:

“Deforestation is defined in Article 2 (3) as “conversion of forest to agricultural use.” Is any other forest land-use change compliant with the Regulation? Deforestation under the Regulation is defined as conversion of forest to agricultural use. Conversion for other uses such as urban development or infrastructure does not fall under the deforestation definition. For instance, wood from a forest area that has been legally harvested to build a road would be compliant with the Regulation.”

This will be displayed on the public list of Certificate Holders.

When not all group members are compliant with self-selected EUDR requirements during an audit, there are several possibilities:

1. The CH decide to opt Out

2. The CH close NC through showing evidence that group members are compliant with self-selected EUDR Requirements

3. The CH close NC through excluding the group members (from the group) that are not compliant with self-selected EUDR Requirements

Correct. Polygons are only mandatory for coffee and cocoa units > 4ha.

CBs can check if the 4 EUDR requirements appear at the end of the self-assessment and audit checklist files submitted by the CH.

If the CB is still not sure, they can send an email to cbcert@ra.org requesting confirmation from QoI team.

Correct.

The closure of NCs related to EUDR requirements follows the same procedure as all other NCs.

EUDR requires 6 decimals. If a CH cannot comply within the closure timeline they can still renew their RA certification without EUDR.

EUDR requirements NCs must be closed before CH can claim EUDR alignment, they can also as of July close the non-conformities at a later stage and obtain EUDR aligned status with an active license.

It will be visible on the public list on ra.org.