Deforestation and the degradation of forest ecosystems are among the most serious global challenges of our time. They contribute to climate change, lower quality of life, economic losses, and irreversible environmental consequences. To combat deforestation, the European Union has introduced a new regulation — EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation).

What is EUDR and Why is it Needed?

EUDR is EU legislation that requires companies supplying certain goods to Europe to prove that their products do not contribute to deforestation and are produced in compliance with the environmental standards of the country of origin.

Essentially, it is an expanded version of the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), but with stricter measures. Now, companies must not only confirm the legal origin of raw materials but also provide precise geolocation data for their sources.

How Does This Affect Manufacturers?

Companies that supply products such as timber, coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, and rubber to the EU must comply with the new requirements. This means increased supply chain monitoring, transparency in sourcing, and a greater responsibility to meet environmental standards.

Do AQUAPHOR Filters Comply with EUDR Requirements?

AQUAPHOR is committed to carefully selecting suppliers and maintaining high production standards. For consumers, it provides greater confidence that the products we purchase are made without harming nature.

AQUAPHOR products and operations are not subject to the restrictions imposed by EUDR 2023/1115. This means our filters remain environmentally friendly and fully compliant with EU market requirements without the need for supply chain adjustments.

Activated Carbon (HS Code 3802) and EUDR Compliance

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, Annex 1) explicitly includes wood charcoal (HS Code 4402) in its list of restricted products. However, activated carbon, which we source and use, falls under HS Code 3802 — a category that is not affected by the regulation.

This classification is clearly reflected in our import documents, where HS Code 3802 is consistently stated. Each shipment from countries such as India and Sri Lanka is verified by Estonian customs authorities, confirming that activated carbon remains outside the scope of EUDR restrictions.

Synthetic Rubber Products and EUDR

While the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) includes specific provisions for natural rubber, it does not apply to the materials we use. Our products are made exclusively from NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) and EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) — both of which are synthetic rubbers.

Since we do not use natural rubber in our production, the EUDR restrictions related to deforestation simply do not apply to our materials.

Sustainable Packaging

Our packaging is made from cardboard, which is sourced only from responsible suppliers holding FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. This certification guarantees that our suppliers follow responsible forestry practices — ensuring that for every tree used, the required number of new ones is planted to maintain ecological balance. Upon request, we can provide the necessary FSC certification as evidence of compliance with sustainable forestry practices.

Our packaging fully complies with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and is not subject to any restrictions under this policy.

In AQUAPHOR we assert that our products are fully compliant with the EU Deforestation Regulation, and we are not subject to its restrictions.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further clarification or documentation.