According to the amendments supported by the European Parliament, downstream operators are no longer required to submit their own due diligence statements (DDS).
Instead, they must:
- Record and pass on DDS or simplified declaration reference numbers if purchasing directly from an operator,
- Retain supplier and buyer records,
- Register in the information system TRACES (if they are non-SMEs),
- Notify authorities if they become aware of risks,
If a downstream operator purchases from another downstream operator, they are now excluded from EUDR obligations entirely. Exporting downstream operators are also exempt from customs DDS requirements.
These changes will only take effect once formally adopted and published in the EU’s Official Journal.
