Forest degradation (EUDR)
Under the EUDR, forest degradation means structural changes to forest cover taking the form of converting primary or naturally regenerating forests into plantation forests or other wooded land, or converting primary forests into planted forests. The criterion applies to products containing or made using wood.
Also known as: degradation
Why does it matter?
The EUDR defines forest degradation narrowly, as specific conversions between forest types (Article 2(7)). It covers wood harvested from forests after the cut-off date in ways that transform natural forests into plantation forests or other wooded land.
How does it work?
The definition relies on a hierarchy of forest types in Article 2:
- Primary forest: naturally regenerated native forest without clearly visible indications of human activity.
- Naturally regenerating forest: forest predominantly composed of trees established through natural regeneration.
- Planted forest and plantation forest: forests of planted or seeded trees, the latter intensively managed with one or two species, even age class and regular spacing.
- Other wooded land: land with 5–10% canopy cover or combined shrub, bush and tree cover above 10%.
Degradation is a conversion from the first categories into the latter ones.
Common pitfalls
- Confusing EUDR forest degradation with broader ecological degradation or with carbon-market definitions.
- Applying the criterion to non-wood commodities, where the test is deforestation.
- Overlooking wood in mixed supply chains, such as rubber wood or timber from shade trees in agroforestry systems.
Always check the latest consolidated text, as definitions may be reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
Does the forest degradation criterion apply to cocoa and coffee?
The degradation part of the deforestation-free definition (Article 2(13)(b)) applies to relevant products that contain or are made using wood. For cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber and soya, the test is deforestation after the cut-off date.
Could the definition change?
The EUDR asks the Commission to evaluate a further extension of the definition of forest degradation in its general review, due by 30 June 2030.
Tell us about your supply chain.
Ten minutes with our scoping assistant. We come back with a first sketch of your service.
