EUDR geolocation: points, polygons and establishments

Locate production, not the export office

The production location is central to EUDR evidence. Article 9 links relevant commodities to the plots where they were produced and, for cattle, the establishments where they were kept. An exporter’s headquarters, a port or a warehouse address does not describe the original production plot.

When relevant commodities come from several plots, the required geolocation includes all those plots. Keep the location record connected to the production period and the relevant lot or product flow.

Point and polygon requirements

Article 2 defines geolocation using latitude and longitude with at least six decimal digits. For plots larger than four hectares producing relevant commodities other than cattle, a polygon must describe the plot perimeter with sufficient coordinate points.

It is a mistake to reduce that rule to “every farm needs a polygon” or “a GPS point is always enough.” Check the plot area, commodity and legal regime before choosing the location representation.

Cattle and the primary-operator regime

For cattle, location information refers to all establishments where the animals were kept, rather than only the last holding or slaughter location. This requires the production history to stay connected as animals move.

Qualifying micro or small primary operators have a specific option under Article 4a to use postal addresses instead of the Article 9 geolocation. Apply the definition and conditions of that regime before relying on this option. A small company buying from unrelated producers is not automatically in that category.

Practical data checks

• Confirm the coordinate order and format used by each file.
• Check that a polygon closes and represents the intended plot.
• Look for duplicated identifiers, empty geometries or coordinates outside the declared country.
• Record who supplied the data and how corrections were authorised.
• Retain the version assessed for the product decision.

These are suggested data-quality checks. They do not establish legal production or deforestation-free status. A precise polygon can still be attached to the wrong product, so traceability between land and goods remains essential.