Due diligence statement (DDS)
A due diligence statement (DDS) is the electronic declaration an operator submits in the EUDR Information System before placing relevant products on the EU market or exporting them, confirming that due diligence was carried out and no or only negligible risk was found.
Also known as: DDS · EUDR due diligence statement
Why does it matter?
The DDS is the point where an operator takes legal responsibility. By making it available to the competent authorities, the operator assumes responsibility for the product’s compliance with the EUDR (Article 4(3)). Customs use the DDS reference number when relevant products are released for free circulation or exported.
How does it work in practice?
- The operator gathers the information required by Article 9, including the geolocation of every plot that produced the commodity.
- It completes risk assessment and, where needed, risk mitigation.
- It submits the statement through the EUDR Information System, via the web interface or the API. Plot geometries are typically uploaded as GeoJSON.
- The system returns a reference number, which the operator passes to the downstream operators and traders it supplies.
Records of statements must be kept for five years.
Common pitfalls
- Late data. Geolocation collected after purchase is harder to verify and to link to a specific lot.
- Invalid geometries. Self-intersecting or overlapping polygons are frequent and undermine credibility.
- Confusing the DDS with the evidence. The statement is a declaration; the supporting evidence (maps, risk analysis, legality documents) must be kept and produced on request, often compiled in a due diligence report.
Farmer1st assembles plot, farmer and risk data at the first mile so operators can generate TRACES-ready statements through its EUDR compliance service.
Frequently asked questions
What information goes into a DDS?
Annex II of the EUDR lists it: the operator's name and address (and EORI number for imports and exports), the HS code, description and quantity of the product, the country of production, the geolocation of all plots of land, and a declaration that due diligence found no or only negligible risk, with a signature.
Can one DDS cover several shipments?
The Commission's guidance and FAQ confirm that multiple shipments can be covered by a single due diligence statement, under the conditions described there. Check the latest FAQ on the Commission's EUDR pages.
Do downstream companies still file a DDS?
Not since the 2025 amendment. Downstream operators and traders no longer submit their own statements. The first ones after the operator collect and keep the DDS reference numbers or declaration identifiers they receive.
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