The EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) is a new regulation adopted by the European Union that prohibits the marketing within its territory of agricultural products derived from land deforested after December 31, 2020. This regulation applies to products such as coffee, cocoa, palm oil, timber, rubber, and others.
The main objective of this regulation is to curb deforestation and forest degradation linked to agricultural production. Beyond its environmental significance, the EUDR has major commercial implications, given that the European Union is one of the main export markets for Colombian coffee. Considering the influence of this economic bloc, it is likely that other buyers will adopt similar standards in the coming years. Therefore, it is crucial that producers prepare and adapt now to these requirements in order not to be excluded from the international market.
Challenges and dilemmas
Despite its good environmental intentions, the EUDR poses several technical and logistical challenges for producers, especially smallholders. Complying with traceability requirements demands significant investments: acquiring equipment such as drones, training in digital tools, and gathering and managing accurate information about farms.
One of the most sensitive aspects of the due diligence process is the obligation to provide geographic and production data to demonstrate that products do not originate from deforested lands. However, by early August 2025, the European Union had still not approved an official and secure digital platform for transmitting this data. This raises legitimate concerns about the protection of producers’ personal data.
Traceability data, such as geographic coordinates, is sensitive information that can be misused if it falls into the wrong hands. For example, it could be used to disqualify crops which can hinder access to international markets. Consequently, it is essential that this information is shared responsibly and through appropriate security protocols. Other sensitive information about suppliers and their production must also be stored in a protected database to uphold the coffee growing families’ right to control their own data and decide who can access it.
Personal data protection: a fundamental right
In Colombia, the right to personal data protection is enshrined in the Political Constitution and regulated by laws such as Law 1581 of 2012 and Decree 1377 of 2013. These provisions establish that everyone has the right to control the processing, storage, and use of data related to their land, both in public and private databases.
It is important to note that the EUDR does not require producers to submit their information individually. It is possible to do so collectively, for example by segmenting data by zones or shared hectares. Additionally, using location polygons instead of exact coordinates may be a valid strategy to protect privacy while an official and secure database is authorized.
The commitment of Red Ecolsierra and Ecolsierra Export to the EUDR
The regroupment of ecological producers from Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta and Ecolsierra Export understand the challenges posed by the new European deforestation regulation (EUDR) and are actively working to support producers through this transition process. Their dual objective is to facilitate adaptation to the new requirements without jeopardizing the fundamental rights of their members.
To achieve this, they have focused on developing tools and strategies that meet international requirements while protecting the integrity of producers’ personal and geographic data.
Strengthening traceability systems
Red Ecolsierra’s traceability team has concentrated its efforts on adapting its platforms to adequately monitor farms and assess their deforestation risk levels. The goal is to automate the transmission of geolocation data once the official EU platform becomes operational.
Processes have been implemented to ensure the secure transmission of information through anonymized data, thereby safeguarding producers’ privacy and the protection of geographic polygons of their farms. Additionally, Ecolsierra Export avoids using the excessive claims process about the volume of coffee traded by only transferring more specific volumes associated with precise polygons. This allows for strict control over information management and prevents coffee growing families’ polygons from being used by third parties to legalize coffee that does not meet the regulation’s standards.
Furthermore, additional security protocols are being planned, such as access codes and confidentiality agreements, to ensure responsible and restricted handling of information. The priority is clear: to guarantee that coffee growing families’ right to personal data protection is fully respected.
Training and technical support
Red Ecolsierra has also focused on training its coffee growing families’, recognizing that it is essential for them to understand the implications of the new regulation in order to protect their crops from practices that could disqualify them in the European market. Training sessions have been held during assemblies with delegates and community leaders to strengthen collective knowledge about the regulatory requirements. Georeferencing processes are also carried out with the support of technicians specialized in satellite technologies and drones, to facilitate compliance with the logistical requirements imposed by the EUDR.
Recognition of cultural practices
A key strength of Red Ecolsierra is its ability to protect producers through a deep understanding of the local context. Many traditional agricultural practices, such as zoca of the coffee, could be misinterpreted as deforestation by satellite sensors. For this reason, the network maintains a detailed internal record that allows these practices to be justified in the face of unfounded accusations.
We understand that technology can lead to interpretation errors. That’s why we prioritize optimal organization of information through diagnostic forms and detailed records that producers themselves strive to maintain on their production units.
In short, technical assistance and ongoing support for producers are the foundation for successful adaptation to the new regulations. Red Ecolsierra and Ecolsierra Export thus reaffirm their commitment to protecting the rights of their members, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance, without losing sight of the cultural and productive realities of the coffee growing communities of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.