The Chancery Lane Project unveils guidance for deforestation-free supply chains

The Chancery Lane Project, a legal nonprofit based in the UK, has published new guidance to help organisations move beyond compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and create resilient, deforestation-free supply chains.

The EUDR will require companies placing key commodities on the EU market to prove they are not linked to recent deforestation or illegal land use. (Originally scheduled to take effect on 30 December 2025, the EUDR is now likely delayed until 2026.)

The regulation will require companies to conduct thorough due diligence on forest-risk commodities – such as palm oil, soy and cattle – and demonstrate that their products are not sourced from recently deforested land.

The regulatory shift creates urgency for global multinationals to prepare and take action now. To ease the burden, the guidance from The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) shows legal, sustainability, and supply chain teams how to use contracts and supplier engagement to move beyond minimum obligations.

It also helps businesses integrate due diligence frameworks into procurement and contract management processes, turning regulatory requirements into opportunities to mitigate business risks such as supply chain shortages, reputational damage and production bans.

The guidance was developed with input from a broad coalition of experts representing in-house counsel, private law firms and NGOs. Contributors include representatives from 3Keel, the Retail Soy Group (whose members include brands like Tesco and Waitrose), Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC), Puxley ESG and Opportunity Green.

“Retailers have been working for over a decade to eliminate deforestation from their supply chains,” said Will Schreiber, 3Keel Director and Representative of the Retail Soy Group.

“Now, for the first time, we have a common reference point and guideline for how companies can contractually oblige compliance, which reduces complexity and inefficiency from each company otherwise developing their own requirements.

“It’s a game-changer for accelerating full value chain alignment to ensure only deforestation-free products are on our shelves.”

The new guidance reflects an urgent, shared commitment to tackle deforestation.

The new resource explains how companies can map and classify risks in their supply chains based on country of origin. It also shows how to collect and verify supplier data beyond what the law requires. Importantly, it supports responsible supplier engagement, helping suppliers improve practices rather than excluding them.

Indeed, the collaboration behind the release of the new guidance underscores a cross-sector commitment to taking proactive, practical and forward-thinking action to tackle global deforestation. 

Ben Metz, Executive Director at TCLP said: “Our collaboration with leading brands, legal professionals and NGOs reflects the urgent, shared commitment to tackle deforestation.

“The nature crisis is not only an environmental threat but an economic one. More companies now recognise that responsible supply chains are essential for long-term resilience, regardless of regulation.”

TCLP’s latest legal offering is part of its mission to rewrite legal contracts for a sustainable future, providing model clauses and tools that address new regulatory changes.

Metz continued: “At TCLP, we believe law must be part of the solution. That’s why we’ve made this guide freely accessible, providing practical tools to help businesses meet rising legal standards while embedding climate and nature at the heart of their commercial relationships.”

You can explore the new guidance here

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