Today, IFS announced the launch of the IFS Deforestation Check Self-assessment. This initiative is designed to help companies comply with the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) due diligence requirements and enhance supply chain transparency. IFS presents it under its IFS Supply Chain Solutions brand, which offers a range of process checks for managing supply chain risks.
Stephan Tromp, Managing Director of IFS, highlights the importance of the new tool: “The EU Deforestation Regulation will soon come into force, aiming to promote sustainable supply chains that protect forests and biodiversity. The IFS Deforestation Check provides a straightforward self-assessment process that can be complemented by an on-site or remote check by an auditor. This way, companies will gain an overview of their compliance status and can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable sourcing.”
Get EUDR-ready in one or two steps
The IFS Deforestation Check employs a two-step approach
- Completion of an online self-assessment questionnaire with automated risk analysis and recommendations.
- Potential follow-up with an on-site or remote assessment conducted by certification bodies within the IFS Network.
Whether step two is necessary will depend on the self-assessment result and internal risk analysis. An on-site or remote assessment by an auditor may be recommended for specific suppliers to gain more comprehensive insights.
Benefit from an accessible and widely supported solution
“We collaborated on this project with ImpactBuying, KPMG and osapiens. They contributed their extensive experience in sustainability and supply chain analysis, which enabled us to offer an accessible and widely supported solution that works on various IT platforms”, explains Tromp. “Retailers in our network have expressed their interest in this check, so we can start right away”, he adds.
ImpactBuying already offers the IFS Deforestation Check Self-Assessment on its platform. At the beginning of October, it will also become available on the osapiens platform, while the IFS Database will host it at no cost for both certified and non-certified businesses starting in November. Business partners such as retail companies may indicate which platform they prefer for their suppliers to use. Suppliers can, in turn, ask their suppliers in the upstream supply chain to complete the self-assessment questionnaire on one of the platforms.
All three IT platforms will automatically analyse the completed questionnaires and indicate the level of compliance.
IFS Support for the Deforestation Check
To help companies complete the self-assessment questionnaire, IFS published a detailed guidance document that explains the intention behind each question and clarifies what evidence a company should provide to substantiate its statements. Also, an industry e-learning course, developed in partnership with Impact Buying, is available. We also support a series of webinars in different languages that osapiens offers.
"Get ready for EUDR compliance today by starting with the IFS Deforestation Check Self-assessment," concludes Tromp.
More information about the on-site or remote part of the check will become available before December 2025.
Find more information about the IFS Deforestation Check:
- Read the IFS Deforestation Check Industry Newsletter
- Download the guidance document for the self-assessment
- Visit the IFS Deforestation Check webpage
- Visit the ImpactBuying website
- Visit the osapiens website