Why EUDR demands supply chain data interoperability
In October I had the privilege of presenting at the 2025 Sustainability, AI & Innovation Summit in Barcelona, hosted by CommonShare. The summit brought together a diverse group of sustainability leaders from certification bodies and standard setters to global brands and tech innovators all united by a shared mission to build transparent, resilient, and deforestation-free supply chains.
At the heart of many discussions was the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which comes into full force on 30 December 2025. The regulation requires companies placing commodities like wood, cocoa, coffee, and palm oil on the EU market to prove that these products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation post-2020. This includes submitting geolocation data, due diligence statements, and proof of compliance with local laws.
The interoperability imperative
One of the key themes I explored in my presentation was interoperability, the ability of different systems, platforms and actors to exchange and interpret data seamlessly. Without it, EUDR compliance becomes a fragmented, costly and error-prone exercise.
As highlighted by CommonShare, interoperability is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s a regulatory necessity. Platforms must integrate with existing ERP systems, certification databases (e.g., FSC, PEFC), and EU TRACES portals. This ensures that data flows securely across systems without duplication, silos or manual bottlenecks.
Why it matters for certification bodies
For certification bodies like Soil Association Certification, interoperability is essential to uphold the integrity of verified claims. Traceability isn’t just about collecting GPS coordinates, it’s about ensuring supply chain integrity across multiple dimensions: document coherence, geographic compatibility, temporal alignment, and contextual credibility.
This means our role is evolving. We must support clients not only with audits and standards but also with digital infrastructure that enables real-time data sharing, verification, and risk assessment.
The role of AI and decentralized protocols
AI and decentralized technologies were also front and centre at the summit. Platforms built with these technologies promise to connect sustainability data and enable trusted transactions. These innovations could revolutionize how actors in impact markets share pseudonymous, verifiable data without compromising privacy.
Gloal interoperability must also navigate data sovereignty and regulatory friction. Suppliers must own their data, and governance protocols must be designed to respect both local and international compliance frameworks.
What’s next?
As we approach the EUDR deadline, the industry must move beyond fragmented compliance efforts and toward collaborative, interoperable ecosystems. Certification bodies, brands, suppliers, and tech platforms must work together to:
- Digitize procurement and verification workflows
- Standardize data formats and APIs
- Empower suppliers with tools and training
- Build trustless verification systems that scale
At Soil Association Certification, we’re committed to supporting this transition. Whether through our forestry portfolios or broader sustainability programmes, we believe that trusted data is the foundation of trusted claims and interoperability is the key to unlocking both.
Supporting businesses through EUDR
Soil Association Certification provide practical solutions to help companies navigate EUDR with confidence. Our services include:
- Training and capacity building for procurement teams and suppliers.
- Audit and verification services to demonstrate compliance with EUDR and other sustainability standards.
- Expert guidance on integrating regenerative sourcing and forest-positive practices into business strategies.
Visit our EUDR resources to learn how we can support your journey toward EUDR compliance and nature-positive supply chains.
