Key Takeaways
- Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) has launched SmartTrace, a due diligence platform to support compliance with the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR).
- The system tracks palm oil shipments to plantation level, providing transparency and blockchain-authenticated data for buyers.
- Verborg Group, a Netherlands-based tropical oil refinery, is among the first companies piloting SmartTrace.
- The first trial shipment of 9,500 metric tonnes of 100% traceable palm oil was delivered to Verborg Group’s refinery.
- SmartTrace aims to simplify compliance reporting by integrating data with the EU TRACES platform.
Golden Agri-Resources Expands Traceability with SmartTrace
Golden Agri-Resources (GAR) has officially launched limited customer trials for its SmartTrace due diligence platform, designed to help buyers comply with the upcoming European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). The regulation, which takes effect on December 30, 2025, requires importers of key commodities to verify that their products are deforestation-free and legally sourced.
Among the first to pilot SmartTrace is Verborg Group, a leading tropical oil refinery in the Netherlands. In February 2024, Verborg Group received a 9,500 metric tonne shipment of palm oil products, which were 100% traceable to the plantations where they were grown in Indonesia.
“We recognise the responsibility we have to our customers to provide sustainably-produced, high-quality, and deforestation-free tropical oils,” said Goedhart Borgesius, Director of Verborg Group.
The trial is part of ongoing efforts to refine compliance systems before EUDR implementation, ensuring full traceability and transparency in palm oil supply chains.
GAR’s SmartTrace Enhances Supply Chain Transparency
The EUDR mandates stringent due diligence requirements for companies importing palm oil, soy, cocoa, rubber, and other key commodities. Importers must prove that their supply chains are free from deforestation risk and comply with local production laws.
GAR’s SmartTrace platform addresses these compliance needs by providing:
- End-to-end supply chain oversight – Tracks shipments down to plantation level.
- Blockchain authentication – Ensures data security and integrity.
- Real-time compliance monitoring – Helps importers identify and mitigate risks.
“By digitising the due diligence process, SmartTrace helps our customers collect, manage, and share the data needed to meet EUDR requirements,” said Maarten van der Hoeven, GAR’s Head of Europe and LatAm.
GAR has invested over a decade in traceability systems, achieving 100% traceability to plantations for its estates and 99% for its total palm oil supply chain in Indonesia.
Supporting Compliance with EUDR Reporting
In addition to tracking product origin, SmartTrace generates compliance reports tailored for EUDR due diligence requirements. These reports include:
- Deforestation risk assessment for each shipment.
- Legality verification based on sourcing records.
- Direct integration with the EU TRACES platform, streamlining compliance submissions.
