The State Forest Resources Agency is among the best-prepared organizations to implement the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Since 2021, the State Forest Resources Agency (SFRA) has been committed to transparency and digitalization across all forestry processes. This approach will help ensure a quick and effective transition to the EUDR.

This was announced by Viktor Smal, the Head of the SFRA, during a working meeting with several high-ranking officials: Deputy Ministers of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, Oleksandr Tsybort and Denys Bashlyk; Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, Zoryana Stetsiuk; and the Head of the Agriculture Sector at the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO), Iryna Hruzinska.

"Colleagues agree that the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine is among the best-prepared central executive agencies to meet the new EU export rules, which will come into effect in 2026," Viktor Smal said.

He noted that the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will take effect on December 30, 2025. This regulation will change how wood, wood products, and a range of agricultural products are exported to EU markets.

"Exporters will be required to provide documentary proof not only of the geographical coordinates where the products were grown or harvested, but also that their business activities have not caused deforestation or soil degradation," the Head of the SFRA explained.

According to Viktor Smal, back in 2021, the SFRA's team began focusing on transparency and digitalization in the forestry sector, starting with the creation of a digital traceability chain for wood.

"At the time, no one anticipated the future EUDR requirements, but we introduced the e-logging ticket, the e-certificate of origin for wood, and the e-consignment note with photo verification," Viktor Smal pointed out. "This approach proved to be the right one because these services provide a wood traceability chain from cultivation to export — which is exactly what the European Union is now demanding from its partners."

He added that European partners are willing to replicate this experience in EU countries where such digital tools do not yet exist. This will be discussed in more detail at a European summit in the fall.

Viktor Smal also discussed with the deputy ministers how some of the SFRA's developments could assist the agricultural sector, which also needs to address the challenges of EUDR implementation.

"The most important thing is that we have working digital tools, as well as the understanding and support of the relevant ministry," Viktor Smal concluded. "Therefore, I am confident that the transition to the EUDR will not create any problems for wood exporters."