Government consults on mandatory deforestation checks for GB supply chains
The UK government has launched a consultation on rules that would require businesses to assess their supply chains and ensure everyday goods sold in Great Britain do not drive illegal deforestation overseas. The proposals were announced on 11 November 2026 as ministers, including the Foreign Secretary, attended a Leaders' Summit Event on Forests at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya.
Commodities in scope
The commodities named are soy, palm oil, cattle, cocoa, timber, coffee and rubber. These feed into products ranging from chocolate and cooking oils to toiletries and cosmetics, all of which the government says carry a risk of being linked to land that has been illegally seized or cleared.
What the consultation covers
The consultation will gather views from businesses, environmental organisations and international stakeholders. It includes:
- Proposals for mandatory due diligence obligations under existing powers, including those in the Environment Act 2021.
- Measures to strengthen the UK Timber Regulation.
- A longer-term ambition to move towards a deforestation-free standard.
Government figures put the scale of the issue in context. In 2023, UK consumption of goods associated with deforestation was linked to around 29,000 hectares of forest loss worldwide and 9.4m tonnes of carbon emissions. Many UK businesses have already taken voluntary action, and the government says major retailers have called for a stronger regulatory framework.
Northern Ireland and the EU rules
The government wants the Great Britain regime to operate alongside the one in Northern Ireland, in order to limit unnecessary administrative burdens, protect the UK internal market and support export-led growth.
The EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) will begin applying in Northern Ireland in phases from 30 December 2026, preserving the region's access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market. Businesses are being encouraged to prepare their supply chains for compliance before it applies.
The proposals form part of the UK's commitment, made with 144 other countries at COP26 in Glasgow, to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
Source: GOV.UK carbon capture