Who checks compliance with the European Union (EU) Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and what can they do to my buyer or my goods?
Each Member State has Competent Authorities that check upstream operators, downstream operators and traders. The Commission says checks may include verifying due diligence statements, checking due diligence systems and records, and site or field audits. They can also issue penalties, including fines. They work with customs authorities.
Who they are
The Commission says Competent Authorities (CAs) are national bodies in each of the 27 Member States that support harmonised implementation and enforcement. They work with other authorities including customs authorities.
What they may check
- The validity of due diligence statements and simplified declarations.
- Due diligence systems and records.
- Site or field audits.
- They check upstream operators, downstream operators and traders, and products placed, made available or exported.
What they can do
- Issue penalties, including fines.
- Support compliance with information materials on national websites and training sessions for their own country.
Checks are risk based
The Commission says the country benchmarking system "facilitates a risk-based approach to due diligence and enforcement". India is in the low risk category on the Commission list. Our page on India as a low risk country covers how often low risk origins are checked.
What it means for you
- Our reading: an inspector is most likely to go to your buyer first, and your buyer will come to you for the records behind its statement. Keep each lot's file complete.
- Our reading: field audits could reach the farm or factory behind a lot, so keep the owner contact and plot access arranged.
What Senseible does here
Senseible reads the HS code on each purchase invoice and keeps every invoice dated, so you can show your buyer what came in, from whom and when. Plot coordinates come from your growers and your buyer files the statement. We do not file statements or certify deforestation-free status.
- What an Indian supplier gives the EU importer for the statement
- India as a low risk country under EUDR
- EUDR records: 5 years, yearly review, report
- EUDR readiness: what applies to your goods
Sources: European Commission Green Forum, EUDR roles and responsibilities, European Commission, Regulation on deforestation-free products, European Commission Green Forum, EUDR country classification list
Last reviewed 2026-11-05. Check powers are from the Commission roles page, which says Competent Authorities can issue penalties, including fines. Our reading: penalty rules are set nationally, so read the rules where your buyer is established.