The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is changing how companies manage commodities entering the European market. For businesses involved in soy supply chains, the regulation places greater emphasis on traceability, geolocation, legality, and due diligence.
As these requirements become increasingly important, companies are evaluating how certification systems can support their supply chain controls and sustainability processes.
A recent benchmark of 20 voluntary soy standards, commissioned by WWF Germany and conducted by Profundo with support from IUCN NL and van Dam Consulting, assessed standards against the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines and examined their development since 2023.
The benchmark placed particular attention on EUDR requirements, deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing, environmental and social criteria, governance, and assurance. The results recognised the ISCC EUDR add-on for ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS as one of the strongest systems assessed.
Why EUDR Matters for Soy Supply Chains
Soy is one of the commodities covered by the EUDR. Companies placing relevant soy products on the EU market must be able to demonstrate that their products meet the regulation’s requirements.
This means supply chain information needs to be sufficiently reliable to support the company’s due diligence process.
Key information includes:
- Production location and geolocation data
- Country-specific legal compliance
- Information demonstrating that the relevant commodity is not associated with deforestation after 31 December 2020
- Supply chain information required for due diligence
For companies operating across complex agricultural supply chains, these requirements make transparency and reliable data increasingly important.
Certification can support these processes, but it does not transfer or remove the company’s legal responsibility for conducting EUDR due diligence.
What Are the Key EUDR Requirements for Soy?
Understanding the main EUDR requirements is essential for companies sourcing or supplying soy to the European market.
Deforestation-Free Sourcing
Soy must not originate from land that was subject to deforestation after the EUDR cut-off date of 31 December 2020.
This makes land-use information and production-site verification important components of supply chain due diligence.
Plot-Level Traceability
Companies need reliable information connecting soy volumes to the specific locations where the commodity was produced.
This is where soy traceability becomes particularly important. Geolocation information can help establish a clear connection between the commodity and its production area.
Legal Compliance
Production must comply with applicable legislation in the country of production.
Depending on the supply chain, this may involve requirements related to land use, environmental protection, labour, and other relevant legal considerations.
Segregated Flows
EUDR-relevant material needs to remain distinguishable from material whose origin is unknown or that does not meet applicable requirements.
Effective controls are therefore needed to maintain the integrity of compliant material as it moves through the supply chain.
How Can Certification Support EUDR Due Diligence?
Certification can provide structured processes for collecting, verifying, and managing information throughout a supply chain.
For organizations dealing with agricultural commodities, this can support areas such as:
- Supply chain traceability
- Origin verification
- Deforestation risk assessment
- Legality checks
- Documentation
- Independent assurance
The role of certification should be understood as a supporting mechanism. Companies remain responsible for meeting their obligations under the EUDR and conducting the required due diligence.
What Is the ISCC EUDR Add-On?
The ISCC EUDR add-on is designed to support organizations in addressing EUDR-related requirements through an established certification framework.
The add-on can be combined with ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS, allowing relevant organizations to incorporate EUDR-related controls into their existing certification approach.
Its relevance extends to key areas such as:
- Deforestation analysis
- Geolocation
- Traceability
- Legality assessment
- Risk assessment
- Documentation and reporting
For companies managing complex soy supply chains, these elements can provide a structured basis for strengthening their EUDR readiness.
How Does the ISCC EUDR Add-On Support Supply Chain Traceability?
Effective traceability requires more than knowing the immediate supplier. Companies need sufficient information to understand where relevant commodities originate and how they move through the supply chain.
A simplified process can be viewed as:
Soy Production
↓
Geolocation Data
↓
Deforestation and Legality Assessment
↓
Supply Chain Traceability
↓
Risk Assessment
↓
Due Diligence Documentation
This approach helps organizations establish a clearer connection between the physical commodity, its origin, and the information required to support their due diligence process.
For businesses sourcing soy from multiple producers, regions, or intermediaries, a structured traceability system can also help identify information gaps and potential risks earlier.
ISCC EUDR and EUDR Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is an important part of determining whether relevant supply chain information meets applicable requirements.
An effective EUDR risk assessment can involve reviewing factors such as:
- Country of production
- Production location
- Deforestation risk
- Legal compliance
- Supply chain information
- Reliability and completeness of available data
The objective is not simply to collect information, but to establish whether the available evidence provides an adequate basis for the company’s due diligence process.
Why the ISCC Benchmark Result Matters
The recent soy standards benchmark assessed 20 voluntary standards against the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines and considered how each system addresses sustainability and responsible sourcing expectations.
The assessment considered areas including:
- EUDR readiness
- Deforestation-free sourcing
- Traceability
- Independent assurance
- Governance
- Environmental and social requirements
The benchmark recognised the ISCC EUDR add-on for ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS among the strongest voluntary standard systems assessed.
For companies evaluating certification options, this provides an additional reference point when considering how certification can support more robust soy supply chain controls.
Related Article : ISCC PLUS: Chemical Recycling and Mass Balance for a More Circular Plastics Industry
EUDR Compliance and EUDR Readiness
It is important to distinguish between EUDR compliance and EUDR readiness.
EUDR compliance refers to meeting the legal obligations established by the regulation.
EUDR readiness refers to having the processes, information, controls, and documentation needed to support those obligations.
Certification can contribute to EUDR readiness by providing structured systems for traceability, verification, risk assessment, and assurance. However, certification should not be interpreted as replacing the company’s legal responsibility under the EUDR.
Who Should Consider the ISCC EUDR Add-On?
The ISCC EUDR add-on may be relevant for organizations involved in soy and other applicable commodity supply chains, particularly those supplying or supporting products destined for the European market.
Potential users include:
- Soy producers
- Agricultural commodity traders
- Food manufacturers
- Feed manufacturers
- Commodity suppliers
- Importers and exporters
- Supply chain operators
The appropriate certification approach depends on the organization’s activities, supply chain structure, material flows, and applicable requirements.
How to Prepare for ISCC EUDR Certification
Organizations considering the ISCC EUDR add-on can begin by reviewing their current supply chain information and internal controls.
1. Map the Supply Chain
Identify suppliers, production areas, intermediaries, facilities, and material flows.
2. Collect Geolocation Information
Establish whether the required production-location information is available and sufficiently reliable.
3. Review Deforestation Risk
Assess whether the relevant production areas meet the applicable deforestation-free requirements.
4. Verify Legal Requirements
Review applicable legislation in the country of production and determine whether sufficient evidence is available.
5. Strengthen Traceability
Ensure relevant information can be maintained and followed throughout the supply chain.
6. Review Internal Documentation
Evaluate procedures, records, controls, and responsibilities before the certification process.
Early preparation can help organizations identify information gaps and strengthen their systems before the audit.
Strengthen Your EUDR-Ready Supply Chain with CBQA Global
Preparing for EUDR requirements requires more than collecting documents. Organizations need reliable traceability, appropriate controls, and a clear understanding of how their supply chain information supports due diligence.
CBQA Global supports organizations seeking to understand and prepare for ISCC EUDR certification, including the requirements associated with ISCC EU and ISCC PLUS.
Whether you are reviewing your soy supply chain, strengthening EUDR traceability, assessing supply chain risks, or preparing for certification, our team can help you understand the certification requirements relevant to your organization.
Ready to strengthen your EUDR readiness?
Contact CBQA Global to discuss your ISCC EUDR certification requirements.
Email: marketing@cbqaglobal.com
WhatsApp: 08118468777
Reference
Source: ISCC System. (2026). ISCC reaches highest score in EUDR compliant plus benchmark for EUDR-ready, deforestation-free soy standards. 10 August 2026.
