InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Indonesia has opportunities to meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), but ensuring that smallholders remain part of the supply chain will be an important part of the process.
WWF Indonesia CEO Aditya Bayunanda said the requirements needed for EUDR compliance are not necessarily difficult to implement in the Indonesian context.
Indonesia already has a number of systems and instruments that could be further developed to support compliance, he said, with supply-chain traceability among the areas requiring continued strengthening.
“Looking at the Indonesian context, it is actually not too difficult to ensure that these instruments can be used for EUDR compliance,” Aditya said during a press conference on cooperation between WWF Indonesia and the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), attended by InfoSAWIT in Jakarta on Friday, September 18, 2026.
According to Aditya, traceability needs to become part of a consistently implemented standard. Such a system would make it easier to identify the origin and movement of palm oil products throughout the supply chain.
WWF Indonesia, he added, intends to act as a knowledge partner to help stakeholders understand and prepare for EUDR implementation in a way that reflects Indonesia’s conditions.
Aditya said most Indonesian oil palm plantations have opportunities to meet various EUDR requirements, although achieving this will require support from multiple stakeholders, including the government.
Smallholders Need to Remain in the Supply Chain
Particular attention, he said, needs to be given to smallholders.
Efforts to meet global market requirements should not result in smallholders losing access to supply chains. Government support will therefore be important to ensure that smallholders have opportunities and access to partners capable of assisting them through the compliance process.
Indonesia’s palm oil industry is not composed solely of large plantation companies. Smallholder plantations are also an important part of the supply chain and will need to address requirements related to traceability and sustainability.
CPOPC Calls for Cooperation
CPOPC Secretary General Izzana Saalleh said EUDR implementation remains part of discussions among palm oil-producing countries.
She said each producing country has its own circumstances and national interests that need to be considered when preparing for the regulation.
According to Izzana, work already being carried out in the field should continue to be strengthened. Existing practices can provide examples of how producing countries are preparing to respond to international market requirements.
“We want to highlight the work that has already been done in the field and look at how it can be further strengthened,” Izzana said.
Smallholder inclusion has also emerged as an important issue in EUDR discussions. Traceability systems need to cover not only large companies but also smallholder plantations that form part of the supply chain.
CPOPC has also communicated with WWF Indonesia regarding areas where both organizations could provide support.
For Indonesia, preparing for EUDR involves more than meeting export requirements. It also requires stronger data systems, traceability mechanisms and documentation concerning the origin of commodities.
At the same time, the process needs to take into account the circumstances of smallholders so that higher sustainability standards do not create new gaps within the supply chain.
Cooperation among governments, businesses, civil society organizations, international institutions and smallholders could help develop a more comprehensive approach to EUDR preparation in palm oil-producing countries. (T2)
