The United Kingdom government has confirmed it will proceed with implementing mandatory due diligence rules for forest-risk commodities, including coffee, under powers established in its Environment Act 2021. The announcement signals an end to a multi-year delay in activating the legislation and will introduce new traceability and reporting requirements for businesses involved in the UK coffee trade.
The new regulations, based on Schedule 17 of the 2021 Act, will require large businesses to ensure that commodities such as coffee, cocoa, soy, and palm oil were not produced on land that was deforested illegally. This marks a key distinction from the European Union's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which applies to all deforestation, whether legal or illegal under local laws. The UK government's stated goal is to align its information requirements with the EUDR to streamline compliance and prevent trade friction, particularly regarding Northern Ireland, which will follow EU rules.
While the move provides clarity on the government's direction, the timeline for implementation remains subject to further process. A public consultation is expected in 2026, with secondary legislation anticipated to follow in 2027. An official enforcement date has not yet been set. For coffee importers and roasters, the announcement serves as a strong signal to begin strengthening supply chain traceability and data collection systems in preparation for the heightened scrutiny and documentation standards to come.