PROGRESS CAN'T WAIT: EUDR NOW
Ferrero reaffirms its strong support for a timely implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), highlighting ongoing efforts in traceability and digital innovation to monitor deforestation-free supply chains and responsible sourcing.
Our Chief Procurement & Hazelnut Company Officer, Isabel Hochgesand, explains how transparency and due diligence are fundamental principles that have guided our practices for many years, turning compliance into a daily commitment to sustainability.
The EUDR represents an important step to protect the world’s forests as it requires companies to prove that commodities sold in the EU – from cocoa and coffee to palm oil and paper – are not linked to deforestation and are produced in accordance with the relevant legislation of the country of production, as well as covered by a due diligence statement.
Knowing every ingredient
At Ferrero, we live by the principle of ‘Sacco conosciuto’, which translates as ‘knowing what’s in your bag’. It means deeply understanding each ingredient we use: its origin, how it was grown, and who produced it.
This approach was embedded in our operations long before the formal adoption of EUDR. Through our Commodity Charters, we’ve built clear sustainability frameworks for our key raw materials. These define the requirements our suppliers must meet and allow us to track progress annually.
Building readiness through innovation
Over the past two years, teams across Ferrero have intensified our efforts and investments to map every ingredient, to identify which products fall under the regulation, and design an end-to-end operating model that links traceability data throughout our business.
We have invested in technology, partnerships and process innovation, including significant upgrades to our internal systems. By automating these complex data flows, we’ve made EUDR compliance an integral part of how Ferrero operates day to day.
We use advanced digital and satellite technologies to help ensure our ingredients are deforestation-free. Platforms like Sourcemap help us map and monitor our supply chains in detail, collecting data on social and agricultural practices to drive continuous improvement.
Through Starling, a satellite monitoring system developed by Airbus Defence System, we monitor 100% of our EUDR-relevant supply chains—covering palm oil, cocoa, and coffee plantations—to ensure compliance with deforestation-free requirements.
Why progress on EUDR can’t wait
The EUDR challenges our business to go further, and for Ferrero it confirms our long-standing commitment to ensuring that every ingredient reflects our care for the communities and the planet we all share.
Timely enforcement of the EUDR is essential to keep momentum alive – and to recognise the efforts of those already taking responsible action. Every pause risks undermining overall attempts to protect vulnerable forest regions and the communities who depend on them.
We welcome the European Commission’s latest proposal, including a grace period, as aligned with our joint statement alongside peers. This is an encouraging sign of collaboration that gives stakeholders the chance to pilot the implementation in real operational environments.
At Ferrero, we believe leadership means acting on our values. Now is the time to step forward and demonstrate responsibility, working together in the same direction.
Isabel is the Chief Procurement and Hazelnut Company Officer at Ferrero. With over 30 years of experience in Procurement and Supply Chain, Isabel joined Ferrero management team in 2023, managing a 3,000-person global team. This follows other senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Beiersdorf, including leading P&G's global Paper Products Purchasing organization and serving as Beiersdorf's Chief Procurement Officer.
--
To receive the latest news and stories, subscribe to our newsletter here.
