On July 31st, 2025, a training module on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was recently held in Aloft Kuala Lumpur to equip small and medium enterprises such as Malaysia’s supplier companies with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the emerging regulatory landscape for due diligence achieving forest preservation. The session brought together 50 SME representatives, industry experts, and sustainability advisors from the rubber, timber and palm oil sectors to discuss the implications of the EUDR and how local businesses can help operators in aligning with EUDR requirements.
The training, supported by EU Delegation in Malaysia and Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, provided an overview of the regulation’s scope, obligations for operators and traders, the options for Malaysia’s supplier companies to support operators in their due diligence exercise and the technical elements required for compliance—such as providing geolocation data, supply chain transparency, legal production and more. This was the second session, held in response to the overwhelming interest generated by the first session attended by 50 participants at Aloft Kuala Lumpur in May.
Key Highlights from the Workshop
- Diverse participation – Attendees ranged from those new to due diligence and sustainability regulations to experienced officers leading companies in EUDR preparations.
- Practical guidance – Covered the seven regulated commodities, relevant legal definitions, due diligence processes before export, and supplier roles in the supply chain.
- Exchanges on implementation – Participants used the workshop to resolve open questions, showing strong interest in understanding required actions to reach the EUDR requirements.
- Addressing key concerns – Data collection and cost management emerged as priorities, with both addressed during the session, highlighting the need for ongoing support.
- Collaboration opportunities – Discussions emphasized capacity building for SMEs and smallholder farmers, need for public–private partnerships, and use of digital tools like GIS mapping to aid geolocation data collection, especially for smallholders and rural suppliers.
Moving Forward
As the entry into application timeline approaches, the role of targeted outreach and technical training for supply chain actors in production countries becomes even more critical. The workshop served as a key step in empowering Malaysia’s supplier companies to understand their role and potential benefits under the EUDR, while also fostering dialogue on shared solutions across sectors. This training workshop is only part of a series of trainings with different stakeholders in Malaysia in the context of the role out of a Training of Trainers approach on EUDR in close collaboration with Malaysian Ministry of Plantation and Commodities and the EU Delegation in Malaysia with support from the EUDR Engagement project.
