07 Apr 2026

Project

Assessing due diligence regulations preparedness in South-East Asia and related supply chains

Due diligence rules in consumer markets are increasingly driving changes in producing countries to reduce environmental and social harms, such as deforestation and forest degradation. The upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a key driver, requiring production plot mapping, traceability, and proof of legal production. Other EU regulations (CS3D, CSRD, Forced Labour Regulation) and due diligence laws in other regions are also shaping policy and technical developments in producing landscapes.

Stakeholders in producing countries, whether state agencies, private companies, or civil society organizations, have been proactively engaging in developing or adjusting control and information systems to fulfill requirements coming from consumer markets.

Challenges

As producing countries continue developing or adapting their systems to meet due diligence requirements in consumer markets, all actors involved in these processes—especially those in consumer markets—need greater awareness and understanding of these developments.

Companies subject to due diligence regulations, competent authorities, and supply chain partners require accurate, up‑to‑date information to assess current progress, identify gaps, and understand ongoing efforts to comply with due diligence obligations.

Beneficiaries

Stakeholders in the South-East Asia producing countries
Companies in deforestation-risk commodity sectors, including brands, buyers, and traders, seeking to meet EUDR and other due diligence requirements
Policy makers and competent authorities
Civil society at large

Objectives

This project's main objective is to take stock of due diligence preparedness across this interconnected regional system, identifying existing functional systems that support due diligence, progress made to date, work underway, and remaining gaps and challenges at both regional and national levels. A condensed report will present the findings and will be publicly available.

The study will cover deforestation-risk commodity production, processing, and trade in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Lao PDR, and Cambodia.

It aims to provide a concise yet precise overview of due diligence preparedness in the region, capturing both national conditions and cross-border interconnections that shape supply chain transparency. It will inform domestic stakeholders, competent authorities, and private-sector actors in regulated importing markets.