What data must I enter in a due diligence declaration?

A statement contains company data, product information and plots

A due diligence declaration consists of a fixed set of data: who submits the declaration, which product is involved, where it comes from and on what basis the risk assessment has been conducted. Specifically, this concerns the company's identification data, a description of the product including HS code and trade name, the country or region of production, and the geolocation of the plots from which the raw material originates. For larger batches or multiple plots, that geolocation must be specified separately for each plot, not as a single collective designation.

In addition, the declaration contains a statement that the due diligence obligation has been fulfilled and that on this basis a negligible risk has been established. Those further down the supply chain who pass on the product unchanged usually do not need to collect all underlying data again, but may use a simplified declaration that refers to the reference numbers of declarations already submitted earlier in the chain. These data are entered into the EU information system for the deforestation regulation, the register where declarations are stored and where competent authorities have access. Which conclusion on risk is included therein remains an assessment by the market participant or trader themselves; a service provider can at most help to structure that data and complete the form correctly.

Annex II of Regulation 2023/1115 sets this out

The content of the due diligence declaration is laid down in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, which lists the required data: identification of the market participant, product description with HS code, quantity, country of production and geolocation of the plots. Article 4 and Article 5 of the same regulation describe when a full declaration is required and when a simplified declaration may suffice. The EU information system for the deforestation regulation is the place where these declarations are submitted and registered.