How is PRONATEC implementing the EUDR?
PRONATEC has always made every effort not to obtain any raw materials for the food industry that cause deforestation, either directly or indirectly. We take targeted measures to increase vegetation, for example by converting pastureland into agroforestry systems. With the EU Regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR), this matter has become even more pressing. Here we explain in specific terms the processes and obligations involved in importing cocoa.
Current developments regarding the EUDR
The implementation timeline for the EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR) has been postponed once again: large and medium-sized companies must now comply from 30 December 2026, while micro and small enterprises will follow from 30 June 2027.
External link: EU press release of 4 December 2025
What does the EU Deforestation Regulation require in relation to cocoa?
The EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) requires that cocoa imported into the EU should be deforestation-free (no deforestation after 31 December 2020), that its production should accord with the legislation of the producer country and that it should be accompanied by a due diligence statement.
How is the data entered in the EUDR due diligence statement?
Importers into the EU are required to produce a due diligence statement for cocoa and cocoa products. PRONATEC works with a verification platform. We upload the data from all our suppliers (cocoa smallholders) to it. The platform checks and sorts the data and approves it if there is no risk of deforestation. The following information is included for each cocoa smallholder:
What does this mean for our customers in the EU?
With every delivery of cocoa products from January 2027 onwards, PRONATEC will provide you with reference and verification numbers on the certificate of analysis. These confirm that the cocoa beans were produced in compliance with the EUDR: they are deforestation-free, were produced in accordance with the laws of the country of origin and are covered by a due diligence statement. The reference and verification numbers serve as evidence that the imported raw material has already been subject to the due diligence checks. As a downstream operator, you only need to obtain and retain the reference number.
What does this mean for our customers in Switzerland?
With every delivery of cocoa products from January 2027 onwards, PRONATEC will provide you with reference and verification numbers on the certificate of analysis. These confirm that the cocoa beans were produced in compliance with the EUDR: they are deforestation-free, were produced in accordance with the laws of the country of origin and are covered by a due diligence statement. The reference and verification numbers serve as evidence that the imported raw material has already been declared. They can be used for imports into the EU and can be passed on to your customers.
What happens if a transaction is inspected by the EU?
The EU foresees that a certain proportion of transactions will be inspected. In the event of an inspection, you will be contacted as the downstream operator regarding EUDR compliance. Should this happen, please contact PRONATEC immediately. Using our data records and evidence that due diligence has already been carried out at raw-material level, we can demonstrate that the cocoa beans were produced in a deforestation-free manner, in compliance with applicable laws and with all required checks completed.
A sound basis for your cocoa imports into the EU
Our strict certifications in the countries of origin help us to meet many of the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115. For example, thanks to our organic certification, full traceability back to the producer is already available for all certified cocoa beans we import.
PRONATEC’s primary goal is to eliminate any risk before the cocoa beans are exported from the countries of origin. To this end, all partners in the countries of origin go through an annual authorisation process which takes the current production areas into account. Deforestation in cocoa applies primarily to the main cocoa-growing countries in West Africa, where forests are cut down to grow cocoa.
PRONATEC sources cocoa chiefly from small farmers’ organisations in Latin America, where cocoa is grown in traditional agroforestry systems. These forest-like systems harbour a rich biodiversity. Fallow land or former pastureland is often turned over to agroforestry. This all means that the risk of deforestation is minimal compared to conventional supply chains. Another important factor is the close partnership with our long-standing suppliers, also known as “PRONATEC Direct Sourcing”. This refers to the principle of sourcing raw materials directly from the producer organisations wherever possible, without intermediaries.
Our action plan for deforestation risk management
Thanks to our close relationship with our partners in the countries of origin, we are working together with them to meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115. To eliminate any risk before exporting from the countries of origin, we are taking the following measures:
- Promotion of agroforestry cultivation with training programmes, seedlings of local cocoa varieties and other crops
- Reforestation of already degraded areas
- Raising awareness among local partners for the issue
- Georeferencing cultivated plots: This involves using the abunda+ ICS software to measure and precisely record each individual cultivation area.
- Analysis of the cultivation areas surveyed: The geodata of each area are linked to the Global Forest Watch Pro tool and provide an accurate picture of possible deforestation (anti-deforestation mapping). In the event of irregularities, the areas are visited and checked on site. Non-compliant areas are systematically excluded from the supply chain for Europe.
- Risk analysis of all production areas and origins
- Verification and on-site measures for any risks identified
- Compliance with local legislation and associated monitoring
- Provision of data in the required form
Advantages of our organic and fair trade certified cocoa products
Thanks to certifications such as Fairtrade, Naturland, Bio Suisse and Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC), issued by independent, accredited inspection bodies, we can provide an additional guarantee that no deforestation occurs at the point of origin. The relevant criteria on which the certification is based are regularly checked. See also:
- Fairtrade Standard for Small-scale Producer Organizations, chapter 3.2.31, 3.2.32 and Fairtrade Standard for Cocoa, chapter 3.4
- Naturland Standards Part B.; I. Crop production; chapter 7
- Bio Suisse STANDARD, chapter 3.1.5.3, 3.5
- Regenerative Organic Certified® Framework: chapter 1.4
We should point out that minimisation of the deforestation risk applies only to products that have been certified by independent inspection bodies in accordance with the above-mentioned labels. We therefore recommend that customers purchase only certified products.
Obtaining and checking the data is very time-consuming. Added to this are the costs of verification by independent certification bodies. This time and expense is reflected in the price. The purchase of certified products supports the production of high-quality products and makes a valuable contribution to combating deforestation.
The members of FUNDOPO own on average 5.15 hectares of cultivated land each. They receive additional valuable support through the organic and fair trade premiums. These finance the following:
