IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF REGULATION (EU) 2023/1115EUDR (“EU DEFORESTATION REGULATION”) IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The article examines the European Union's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as a landmark policy aimed at eliminating goods associated with deforestation. It highlights the importance of Ukraine's forest resources in the context of European integration and sustainable development and highlights the current challenges facing the forestry sector. It analyzes Ukraine's implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), namely the translation of norms, decisions, and standards into real actions, laws, and processes in the country. Ukraine is an active exporter of timber, agricultural raw materials, and products that fall under the EUDR. Therefore, the issue of compliance with new standards directly affects the logistics and access of Ukrainian goods to the European market. The main requirements of the EUDR regulation are set out, establishing strict rules for all operators and traders who are introducing goods into the European Union market for the first time or exporting them from it. All such companies must conduct due diligence – a comprehensive procedure that includes collecting documents and data on the origin of products, assessing risks, and taking measures to minimize them. The experience of EU countries in implementing EUDR requirements into national legislation is presented. It has been established that the implementation of EUDR in EU member states has different rates and levels of readiness. Although the regulation is directly applicable, national control systems and procedures are still being developed. It is noted that one of the key steps in the implementation of EUDR standards in Ukraine is the introduction of forest management based on the principles of nature-friendly forestry. In general, it can be stated that Ukraine has the basis for implementing EUDR requirements – there is interest, initial technical solutions, and public initiatives.