Delivering EUDR-ready guidance for deforestation-free paper sourcing

A new collaboration between the Book Chain Project and ZSL is guiding publishers to trace the origin of paper, protect forests, and comply with the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

The EUDR is reshaping the future of paper sourcing

By the end of 2025, all companies importing forest-risk commodities – including pulp and paper – into the European Union (EU), the world's largest trading bloc, will be legally required to prove their products are deforestation-free. Under the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), regulated companies, including those in the publishing sector, must demonstrate compliance with relevant environmental and social laws in the country of harvest or face substantial penalties. For publishers, this marks a significant shift in expectations – and an opportunity to lead the way in responsible sourcing.

As the EUDR’s effective date approaches, companies across many sectors must scrutinise the origins of their raw materials. For publishers, this means providing the geolocation of the forest or plantation where their paper is sourced.

Why responsible paper sourcing matters for people and the planet

Paper is fundamental to publishing; it is essentially the core material of every book. But its production can come at a high cost to forests and to the countless species, including people, that depend on them for life, livelihoods and climate stability. Unsustainable paper production has been linked to deforestation, habitat destruction, and illegal logging – threatening biodiversity and undermining global climate goals.

Much of this risk sits upstream with pulp and paper companies, whose sourcing practices shape the environmental impact of the entire value chain. Without strong safeguards and traceability, pulpwood may come from recently deforested areas – including forests cleared to make way for plantations – or operations that fail to protect human rights.

With growing scrutiny and stronger regulations, publishers have a powerful opportunity: to trace their paper back to its roots, make conscious sourcing choices, and become champions for forests – and for the communities who rely on them.

About the Book Chain Project

The Book Chain Project, an initiative led by SLR Consulting, works with 26 major publishers to improve transparency and sustainability across their book supply chains. The initiative covers a wide range of workstreams, from chemical safety and design for sustainability to labour practices, but one of its core focus areas is paper sourcing.

Supporting the Book Chain Project with scientific and technical expertise on deforestation due diligence

Together, SLR Consulting and ZSL are developing practical, country-specific guidance to help publishers understand key legal and sourcing documents required from paper mills and recognise common sourcing risks. Our focus is on six key sourcing countries: Brazil, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Argentina and Mozambique – all of which play a significant role in the global paper supply chain.

This collaboration draws on deep expertise, from ZSL’s decade-long SPOTT assessments to SLR’s technical and regulatory know-how. It also reflects a wider commitment to supporting the industry with science-based guidance, strong partnerships and practical solutions for sustainable sourcing.