Risk Benchmarking for the EU Deforestation Regulation: Key Principles & Recommendations

Trase and Proforest have released a comprehensive risk benchmarking framework and methodology aimed at supporting the European Union’s deforestation regulation (EUDR) system. This guidance is based on their work with the Consumer Goods Forum's Forest Positive Coalition (CGF-FPC), helping its members fulfill their zero-deforestation commitments. The approach is illustrated through two case studies, one involving national-level risk assessment for countries with cattle pasture deforestation, and the other focusing on deforestation risk in soy-producing areas in Brazil.

“Risk assessments have been widely used by supply chain companies to prioritise action. In addition, the increasing need for reporting compliance with Deforestation and Conversion Free (DCF) commitments has led to a demand to define a negligible level of risk that could allow DCF claims. While differences in risk methodologies are not an issue for prioritisation, aligning risk methodologies for claims is critical. Together with the CGF Forest Positive Coalition, Trase and Proforest tested, discussed and developed an approach to define negligible risk areas that is simple, credible, replicable and responsive. This process and its results bring important lessons that could be used by the European Commission to inform the design of a risk benchmarking approach to implement the Deforestation Regulation.” - Jane Siqueira Lino, Proforest