New EUDR Country Risk Rankings: What Businesses Need to Know Amidst Record Breaking Forest Loss
Why the EUDR Matters
Deforestation is a major problem, fueling climate change and wiping out wildlife habitats. The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a new law designed to stop this by ensuring products sold in the EU don’t come from deforested land. To make this work, the EU has created a risk ranking system for countries based on how likely deforestation is to happen there. These rankings matter because they tell businesses how much effort they need to put into checking their supply chains. Knowing a product’s origin and its risk level is key to following the rules and helping save forests.
Forests in crisis
While the EUDR takes shape, forests worldwide are disappearing at an alarming rate. The University of Maryland reports a record breaking forest loss in 2024. Tropical primary forest loss has nearly doubled from 2023, releasing a whopping 3.1 Gt of greenhouse gas emissions. Wildfires are the biggest driver, with an 80% jump in forest loss linked to fires.
Recent updates set the stage
Only last month, the European Commission proposed simplifications to the EUDR, including updated guidance, FAQ documents and a Delegated Act amending Annex I of the regulation: read more here. These changes aim to make compliance clearer for businesses.
Meanwhile, the world was eagerly awaiting the final Country Benchmarking classification, originally expected by 30 June 2025. Surprisingly, after a few weeks of speculation, the European Commission published the list ahead of schedule on 20 May. This final benchmarking is so important, as it defines the due diligence obligations companies must now meet based on where their products originate.
Risk rankings
High risk countries: Belarus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Russian Federation.
Standard risk countries: Angola, Argentina, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Israel, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauretania, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Low risk countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Canada, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands (Kingdom of the), New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Island, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Yemen.
What this means for companies
Companies should make sure they understand the country (or countries) of production of their products. Knowing this will define what further obligations apply:
A. Country of production is a low-risk country
Simplified due diligence applies
Data and information need to be collected, such as geolocations
No risk assessment needs to be done, except when there is a substantiated concern
1% of operators will be checked annually
B. Country of production is a standard-risk country
Full due diligence applies
Data and information need to be collected, such as geolocations
Risk assessment needs to be done, including risk mitigation
3% of operators will be checked annually
C. Country of production is a high-risk country
Full due diligence applies
Data and information need to be collected, such as geolocations
Risk assessment needs to be done, including risk mitigation
9% of operators will be checked annually
Regardless of the risk classification of a country, for all EUDR commodities and products, a due diligence statement (DDS) will need to be submitted in the EU Information System. To be able to do this, companies will have to work with all supply chains to trace a product back to the country of production and collect the basic information needed.
How businesses can get ready?
As the EUDR is starting soon on 30 December 2025, here is how QIMA can help
Track your products: Map your supply chain and trace your products so you understand the country of production
Gather information: Collect required data, information and documentation needed for your Due Diligence Statement or risk checks.
Assess and fix risks: For products from standard and high risk countries, perform risk assessments and address any problems.
Keep up to date: Stay informed about EUDR updates
The EUDR’s risk rankings come at a pivotal time, with forest loss hitting all-time highs. For businesses, following these rules isn’t just about staying legal, it’s about playing a role in stopping deforestation. By acting now, companies can meet the requirements, avoid trouble, and help protect forests for the future.
Read more here or contact us today.
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