Is there a template for the due diligence statement?

The EU Deforestation Regulation requires operators to submit a due diligence statement (DDS) before making certain products available on the EU market. The goal is to ensure these goods do not contribute to deforestation or forest degradation.

Many companies ask whether there is an official template for it. The short answer: no, the EU does not provide a standardised template. Instead, all required information must be entered directly in the TRACES information system to obtain the necessary reference number.

How submission works

Although there is no official form, the process is clearly defined: the due diligence statement is created and submitted electronically in the TRACES system. Alternatively, the information can be transferred directly into the EU information system via an API (technical interface) without using TRACES manually. Compliance providers can use their own input forms for this and push the data across via the interface.

The following details are mandatory and must always be transmitted:

• Name and address of the operator
• Name and description of the commodity concerned, including its HS code
• Quantity of the commodity (e.g. in kg)
• Country of production
• Exact geocoordinates of the plot of production

You can find an example of what a due diligence statement can look like here: download the sample DDS as a PDF

Why no template is provided

The EU publishes no template because the TRACES system uses standardised digital input forms. These replace any paper or Word form and ensure that all data is machine-readable and easier for authorities to check.

Conclusion

There is no official EUDR template for the due diligence statement. Companies must enter the required data directly in TRACES. Compliance providers like Polygon One, however, offer simplified input forms that push the necessary information into TRACES via API without friction.

Tip: use Polygon One's compliance software to capture geocoordinates, supplier information and risk assessments centrally and then submit them. That way you are fully prepared for the EUDR.