Implementing due diligence on forest risk commodities

Overview

We are consulting on the implementation of world-leading due diligence provisions in the Environment Act to help tackle illegal deforestation in UK supply chains. The UK Government introduced these provisions in November 2020 following widespread support to our previous public consultation. 

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 we will also 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   

Due diligence provisions form part of a wider package of measures to improve the sustainability of our supply chains and will contribute to global efforts to protect forests and other ecosystems. 

Why your views matter

We are launching this consultation to seek the views of interested parties to support effective design of secondary legislation and accompanying guidance needed to implement the due diligence provisions set out in the Environment Act.   

Please read the consultation document before responding, which is attached below in the 'Related' section alongside supporting documents.  

Please submit your consultation response using the online survey linked below.   

Alternatively, email your response to the consultation document’s questions to Due.Diligence@defra.gov.uk, or post your response to:   

Consultation Coordinator at Defra,   
2nd Floor, Foss House,   
Kings Pool, 1 to 2 Peasholme Green,   
York,   
YO1 7PX   

Responses should be received by 11:59pm on 11 March 2022. This consultation will run for 14 weeks.