The United Kingdom government has announced plans for new legislation requiring businesses to ensure that key household products, including coffee, are not linked to illegal deforestation. The proposal, unveiled during London Climate Action Week in late June, would mandate due diligence for companies trading in commodities sourced from at-risk forest areas.
Under the proposed framework, UK businesses dealing in commodities such as coffee, soy, palm oil, cocoa, and rubber will need to verify that their supply chains are not contributing to illegal deforestation. The government intends to hold a consultation later this year with businesses, civil society organizations, and international partners to define the specific details of the policy. The new rules would be implemented using powers under the existing Environment Act and by strengthening the UK Timber Regulation.
This initiative aligns with the UK's commitment under the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use from COP26, which aims to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. In a separate but related development, the government confirmed that the European Union's Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) will apply in Northern Ireland in phases beginning 30 December 2026, a move intended to preserve the region's dual access to both UK and EU markets.