Last updated on October 24, 2025
No. Under EU law, cocoa and cocoa-based products cannot be placed on the EU market if they originate from land deforested after 31 December 2020. This is enforced through mandatory due diligence and traceability requirements.
Chocolate’s New Rules: Sweet, but Strict
Chocolate lovers, beware: your favorite treat just got a legal twist. In the European Union, the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar is no longer just about taste—it’s about trees. Specifically, the trees that may have been cleared to make way for cocoa farms.
For decades, cocoa farming has been linked to deforestation, especially in West Africa, where vast tracts of forest have been lost to agricultural expansion. But now, the EU is drawing a firm line in the soil. With the introduction of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, the bloc has declared that cocoa must be deforestation-free to enter its market.
The Law Behind the Label
The regulation, part of the EU’s broader Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, targets seven commodities most associated with deforestation: cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil, cattle, rubber, and wood. It applies not only to raw materials but also to derived products—think chocolate, furniture, and paper.
Starting 30 December 2025 for large and medium companies (and 30 June 2026 for small enterprises), any cocoa product sold or exported from the EU must meet three key criteria:
- Deforestation-free: The cocoa must come from land that was not deforested after 31 December 2020.
- Legal production: It must comply with the laws of the country where it was grown.
- Traceable origin: Companies must provide geolocation data and other documentation proving compliance.
This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s mandatory. Operators must submit a Due Diligence Statement electronically through a new EU-wide information system. Customs authorities will verify these declarations before allowing products to circulate.
From Bean to Bar: A New Supply Chain Standard
The implications are huge. Cocoa producers must now map their farms, separate compliant beans from non-compliant ones, and ensure traceability throughout the supply chain. Mixing beans from deforested land with compliant ones? That’s a no-go. The entire shipment becomes non-compliant and is barred from the EU market.
This shift is already rippling through cocoa-producing countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which together supply over 60% of the world’s cocoa. Local cooperatives are scrambling to adapt, investing in satellite mapping, training farmers, and working with EU partners to meet the new standards.
Why It Matters
The stakes go beyond chocolate. The EU estimates that without intervention, its consumption of these commodities could drive 250,000 hectares of deforestation annually by 2030. That’s an area nearly the size of Luxembourg—every year.
By enforcing deforestation-free sourcing, the EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable agriculture. It’s a bold move, and one that sets a precedent for other major markets.
So next time you unwrap a chocolate bar in Europe, know this: it’s not just sweet, it’s certified forest-friendly.
See more on European Union
Sources
Cocoa under the Deforestation Regulation
https://green-forum.ec.europa.eu/nature-and-biodiversity/deforestation-regulation-implementation/cocoa-under-deforestation-regulation_en
October 2025
Regulation on Deforestation-free products
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/forests/deforestation/regulation-deforestation-free-products_en
October 2025