API (application programming interface)
An application programming interface (API) is a defined set of rules and endpoints that allow one software system to request or send data to another automatically. In supply chains, APIs connect field tools, ERPs, compliance platforms and public systems such as the EUDR Information System.
Also known as: web service · REST API · machine-to-machine interface · integration
Why does it matter?
First-mile data has to reach many systems: buyers’ ERPs, sustainability platforms, certification bodies, national systems and the EUDR Information System. Without APIs, the same data is re-entered by hand, introducing errors and delays. The Commission developed the Information System API at the request of industry and Member States, and its 2026 review announced further API improvements.
How does it work?
- Endpoints expose operations, such as “submit statement” or “get farmer”.
- Authentication controls who may call them.
- Schemas define the structure of data, such as a GeoJSON geometry or a lot record.
- Versioning allows changes without breaking existing integrations.
- Logs keep an audit trail of exchanges.
Integration often also needs data mapping: translating fields and codes between systems that describe the same thing differently.
Common pitfalls
- Building against outdated specifications.
- One-way integrations that cannot receive corrections or status updates.
- No error handling, so failed submissions go unnoticed.
- Sending more personal data than the receiving system needs.
Farmer1st plugs into the field tools, ERPs and compliance platforms companies already use through its data integration service.
Frequently asked questions
Does the EUDR Information System have an API?
Yes. The Commission provides a machine-to-machine API to submit and manage due diligence statements and simplified declarations in bulk, as an alternative to the web interface.
Why not just exchange spreadsheets?
Spreadsheets are manual, lose precision and history, and are hard to validate. APIs allow automatic validation, faster updates and a traceable record of what was sent and when.
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