For a coffee free of deforestation

Coffee cultivation, as with all other crops, has an effect on the planet. To minimize the consequences of its production, as well as that of cocoa, palm oil, beef, timber, rubber and soybeans, the European Union has taken action: through the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), these products can no longer be obtained from land that has been deforested.

Bearing in mind that these seven products are the ones that have the most deforestation associated with them (some 250 thousand hectares of forest) and, therefore, generate the most greenhouse gas emissions (11% of the total) and cause the greatest loss of biodiversity, the EU will promote the consumption of deforestation-free products. In the case of coffee, it will also include roasted or decaffeinated coffee, coffee husks and hulls, and substitutes containing coffee in any proportion.

This will have a major impact on the entire supply chain and means that, after the entry into force in June 2023, large companies will have to comply with all the measures by December 2024, and small and micro companies will have time until June 2025. It will affect both the operators who bring these products to market or export them and the traders who sell these products, i.e. a roaster and seller like us, who have already got our act together and are working with CoolX consultancy to find out all the details of the regulation.

To comply with the EUDR, NOMAD must obtain and submit verifiable information that the coffee does not come from areas that have been deforested since December 31, 2020. In addition, the coffee will have to be grown and processed in accordance with the laws of the country of production: land use rights, environmental and forestry regulations, third party rights, labor, human rights, indigenous peoples' rights, as well as in accordance with the appropriate tax regulations. All these data must be included in a report called 'declaration of diligence' for each coffee, which is strictly necessary for the product to enter the EU market or be exported from the EU.

NOMAD is in the process of mapping all our supply chains and obtaining data such as geolocation data, as well as creating a system for managing and storing this and more data. It is a tremendous task! But we are more than happy to accomplish it because we know we are contributing to the well-being of the planet. For companies that do not adhere to the law, the EU has prepared strong sanctions: up to 4% of the previous year's turnover can be withdrawn, illegal products can be confiscated, import, marketing or export in the EU can be banned, and companies can be banned from public procurement and funding for 12 months.