The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will start applying on December 30, 2025. (See also: European Parliamant supports year-long deforestation law delay). Its purpose is to ensure that certain products sold in the EU – including those made from raw materials such as wood – are deforestation-free. EUDR will have a strong impact on book trade.
This means that any product placed on the EU market must meet three key requirements:
- Deforestation-free: The product must not come from land that was deforested or degraded.
- Legally produced: The production process must comply with all relevant laws in the country of origin.
- Due diligence statement: Companies must provide a declaration proving compliance, including geolocation data for the origin of the raw material.
In Finland, the Finnish Food Authority provides information e.g. about the Due diligence statements.
The requirements under the EU Deforestation Regulation continue to evolve and become more precise. Our company closely monitors legislative developments and changes. We also encourage our partners to stay informed. Together, we can ensure that the value chain is responsible and meets the requirements of the regulation.
Publishers’ and Suppliers’ Responsibilities
Storia requires all our publishing partners to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation and provide the necessary information to meet its obligations.
To start fulfilling these requirements, publishers should consider the following steps:
- Determine your role under the regulation. Roles are defined based on the nature and size of your business. Guidance can be found, for example, on the Finnish Food Authority’s website. Even if you are a small or self-publishing company, you must still pass on the due diligence (DD) statement details from the previous actor in the supply chain to the next.
- Obtain the DD statement number and reference number from the previous actor in the supply chain. For publishers, this is usually the printing house.
- Provide the DD statement number and reference number to us. These can be submitted through our online service. Detailed instructions will be available later this autumn.
We cannot distribute products that do not comply with the regulation. Compliance is verified through the DD statement. Therefore, after December 30, 2025, we will not purchase new titles or reprints of existing titles covered by the regulation unless we receive either:
- The DD statement number and reference number, or
- Confirmation that the product was manufactured during the transition period (before 30 December 2025) using paper or cardboard produced before that date.
Storia's Role
Responsibility is a core part of our operations, and we aim to act as a responsible partner in the book trade. Compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation is an essential part of this responsibility, which requires understanding the supply chain and ensuring products are deforestation-free.
As a non-SME trader, our role under the regulation is that of an operator. We must ensure that all products we sell meet the regulation’s requirements.
Storia's Actions to Ensure Compliance
Applying the regulation in our operations means:
- Building capabilities to meet the regulation’s obligations, including enabling data exchange
- Collaborating with supply chain partners to ensure products are deforestation-free
- After December 30, 2025, we will not accept products without a DD statement from the previous actor in the supply chain.
You can get further advice from your contact person, and Development Manager Lotta Aho, lotta.aho@storia.fi