CAFOD response to DEFRA consultation: Implementing due diligence on forest risk commodities

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs consulted on the implementation of due diligence provisions in the Environment Act to help tackle illegal deforestation in UK supply chains. 

The due diligence provisions will make it illegal for larger businesses operating in the UK to use key forest risk commodities produced on land illegally occupied or used. Businesses in scope will also be required to undertake a due diligence exercise on their supply chains and to report on this exercise annually. To ensure transparency, information about businesses' due diligence exercises will be published. Businesses in scope that do not comply with these requirements may be subject to fines and other civil sanctions.   

Secondary legislation is required to implement these provisions, and DEFRA will publish guidance to businesses on how to comply with regulations. This consultation seeks views on some of the key areas that will be included within this, notably:   

• which commodities will be in scope of regulations  

• which businesses will be subject to provisions  

• what businesses in scope will be required to undertake and report on regarding their due diligence exercise   

• how the requirements will be enforced