Important notice
The EUDR legal framework is evolving and may be amended or supplemented by EU legal acts, European Commission guidance, or decisions of competent authorities or courts. A time gap may therefore arise between a change in legal or methodological requirements and the update of this application and website.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the publisher of the application and website does not warrant that the information in this section is at all times complete, error-free, up to date, or suitable for the user's specific situation.
The user is responsible for verifying the current obligations that apply to their activity, products and supply chain. For decisions with legal or business consequences, we recommend verifying information against current official EU sources and, where needed, consulting the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
More detailed terms of use for this section and limitations of liability are also set out in the official Terms of Use.
Which EUDR role am I?
Find out in a few taps what you must do — and what you don't have to
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- RecorderWood inventory in the field
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- OPTI-TIMBSawing patterns
- Classifieds
- Cutting plans
- CMR forms
- … plus much more!
Informational content — this section and its outputs are a basis, not a guarantee of compliance with EUDR obligations. Responsibility for the statement and its accuracy rests with the operator. Translations may contain inaccuracies — the binding text is the one published in the Official Journal of the EU. · Version 2026.10.1, legal state as of 2026-10-13
How do I find out my role under the EUDR?
Your EUDR role is set by the specific activity and the product's position in the supply chain, not by the type of business. One business can hold several roles for different activities.
How do I find out my role under the EUDR?
Your role depends on your activity involving a specific relevant product. An operator, in the course of a commercial activity, first places it on the EU market or exports it, unless it is a downstream operator. A downstream operator places on the market or exports a product made using relevant products, all of which are covered by a DDS or a simplified declaration. Processing solely as a service does not determine this role. A trader is another person in the supply chain who makes a relevant product available on the EU market, including free of charge. Article 2(15a) sets the specific conditions for a micro or small primary operator, and Article 4a sets its simplified regime. One business can hold several roles for different activities. The quickest way to find out is the form above: you answer a few questions and get an indicative role, deadline and list of obligations.
Four EUDR roles
| Role | Typical example | Main obligation | Submits a DDS? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator (first placing on the market, import, export) | A forest owner or harvesting company at the first placing of harvested timber on the market, an importer of roundwood; the second row applies if the conditions for the primary role are met | Due diligence and a DDS before placing on the market or exporting | Yes |
| Micro or small primary operator | A small forest owner established in a low-risk country who, in the course of a commercial activity, places on the market timber they have themselves produced on plots in that same country | Generally a one-off simplified declaration before placing on the market or exporting. Their own submission is not required if the conditions in Article 4a(4) are met and the Member State makes the information available. Before placing on the market or exporting, they must have been assigned a simplified declaration identifier and pass it to the buyer in the supply chain; the due diligence obligation remains. | No – generally submits a simplified declaration; Article 4a(4) provides an exemption from their own submission |
| Downstream operator (processor) | A sawmill placing on the market or exporting sawn timber made from roundwood, if all relevant inputs are covered by a DDS or simplified declaration | Records of suppliers and buyers in the supply chain for at least 5 years from placing or making available on the market or exporting. If the supplier is an operator, keeps the DDS reference number or simplified declaration identifier. Other obligations under Article 5 also apply. | No – this role requires all relevant inputs to be covered by a DDS or simplified declaration; other obligations under Article 5 remain |
| Trader | A trader reselling firewood or roundwood already placed on the EU market, without processing | Records of suppliers and buyers in the supply chain for at least 5 years from making available on the market. If the supplier is an operator, keeps the DDS reference number or simplified declaration identifier. Other obligations under Article 5 also apply. | No |
What do I have to do under the EUDR?
Follow four steps. First find out your role for each activity separately. Then check the date of application: the general date is 30 Dec 2026. The deferral until 30 June 2027 under Article 38(3) applies to operators established as natural persons, micro-undertakings or small undertakings by 31 Dec 2024 under that provision; it does not cover products included in the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, even for small businesses. Gather the information required for your role. Finally, fulfil the applicable obligations: an operator exercises due diligence and submits a DDS before placing on the market or exporting. A micro or small primary operator under Article 2(15a) exercises due diligence and uses the one-time simplified declaration regime under Article 4a; under the exemption in Article 4a(4), it does not submit the declaration itself but must be assigned an identifier before placing on the market or exporting. Downstream operators and traders comply with Article 5: they record suppliers and customers in the supply chain, obtain DDS reference numbers or simplified declaration identifiers if their direct supplier is an operator, and keep this information for at least 5 years from placing on the market, making available on the market or export. An operator keeps DDS records for 5 years from submission. Other obligations under the applicable regime remain. Detailed checklist:
- Find out your role – Separately for each activity.
- Origin data – Operators: geolocation of the plots the timber comes from; eligible micro and small primary operators may give an address or cadastral data.
- Registration in the EU information system – Via EU Login – mandatory for operators; downstream operators and traders only if they are not SMEs.
- Statement or declaration – A DDS can cover several deliveries up to the declared quantity. A new DDS is then needed; an eligible micro or small primary operator submits a one-time simplified declaration.
- Reference numbers – The operator passes them to its buyer (e.g. on the delivery note); the first buyer keeps them.
- Keep records for 5 years – Suppliers, buyers, quantities and documents.
What should each profession do under the EUDR?
What should a forest owner do under the EUDR?
What you must do: If you meet the definition of a micro or small primary operator: submit a one-time simplified declaration and pass its identifier to your buyer. Others: submit a due diligence statement (DDS). The obligation to carry out due diligence remains.
What should a harvesting company do under the EUDR?
What you must do: If you buy standing timber and sell logs, you submit a statement or declaration as an operator.
What should a sawmill do under the EUDR?
What you must do: Keep supplier and buyer records for at least 5 years; as the first buyer from an operator, keep the DDS reference number or simplified declaration identifier. Notify the competent authority and buyers of possible non-compliance. Non-SMEs must register in the system and verify upstream due diligence when substantiated concerns arise.
What should a timber trader do under the EUDR?
What you must do: Keep supplier and buyer records for at least 5 years; as the first buyer from an operator, keep the DDS reference number or simplified declaration identifier. Notify the competent authority and buyers of possible non-compliance. Non-SMEs must register in the system and verify upstream due diligence when substantiated concerns arise.
What should a wood product manufacturer, such as a joiner or furniture maker, do under the EUDR?
What you must do: Keep supplier and buyer records for at least 5 years; as the first buyer from an operator, keep the DDS reference number or simplified declaration identifier. Notify the competent authority and buyers of possible non-compliance. Non-SMEs must register in the system and verify upstream due diligence when substantiated concerns arise.
What should a timber importer or exporter do under the EUDR?
What you must do: As an operator, carry out due diligence, submit a DDS or, if eligible, a simplified declaration before lodging the customs declaration, and prepare an EORI number and original harvest data. For exports of products already covered by a statement or declaration, assess the obligations of a downstream operator.
How the form works
- You choose your activity: forest, harvesting, sawmill, trade, manufacturing, import or export.
- You state the size of your business and the country where you are established.
- You pick the product range in plain words, without customs codes.
- You answer whether your inputs are covered by a declaration from your supplier.
- You get your role, the deadline and a list of what you must and need not do. The result is indicative.
Frequently asked questions about determining your role
Does EUDR apply to small forest owners?
Yes, if they sell timber from their own forest. If they meet the definition of a micro or small primary operator, they submit only a one-time simplified declaration. Timber used in their own household is not placed on the market. The obligation to carry out due diligence remains.
Does a sawmill have to submit its own DDS?
A sawmill acting as a downstream operator does not submit its own DDS if all relevant inputs have already undergone upstream due diligence and are covered by a DDS or simplified declaration. It keeps supplier and buyer records for 5 years and, as the first buyer, keeps the reference number. For a first import of uncovered timber, the sawmill has operator obligations. Large sawmills (not SMEs) must also register in the system. It notifies the competent authority and buyers of possible non-compliance; a non-SME sawmill verifies upstream due diligence when substantiated concerns arise.
What is a DDS?
A DDS is a due diligence statement that an operator submits to the EU information system before placing timber on the market or exporting it. The system assigns a reference number, which the operator passes to the buyer.
EUDR overview for timber: deadlines, DDS, geolocation · EUDR questions and answers
Answers by topic — scope, deadlines, roles, penalties
Content updated: 2026-10-13
Informational content — this section and its outputs are a basis, not a guarantee of compliance with EUDR obligations. The results of the form are indicative and do not replace legal advice. Responsibility for the statement or declaration and its accuracy rests with the operator. Translations may contain inaccuracies; the authoritative text is the legislation published in the Official Journal of the EU. Full notice