3. Architecture of the Regulation — EUDR Guide

3.1 Map of the chapters

Chapter	Articles	Content
1 — General provisions	1 to 3	Subject matter and scope, 40+ definitions, the prohibition
2 — Obligations of operators, downstream operators and traders	4 to 13	Operators' obligations; the simplified regime for MSPOs; downstream obligations; authorised representatives; operators from third countries; due diligence; information requirements; risk assessment and mitigation; the due diligence system and reporting; simplified due diligence
3 — Obligations of Member States and of competent authorities	14 to 25	Competent authorities; technical assistance; checks and annual plans; immediate measures; checks on operators and downstream; cost recovery; cooperation; reporting; interim and corrective measures; penalties
4 — Products entering or leaving the market	26 to 28	Customs controls; cooperation between authorities; the electronic interface (Single Window)
5 — Country benchmarking and cooperation with third countries	29 and 30	Risk classification; partnerships
6 — Substantiated concerns	31 and 32	Third-party complaints; access to justice
7 — Information systems	33	The information system
8 — Review	34	Simplification and general reviews
9 — Final provisions	35 to 38	Delegation; committee; repeal of the EUTR; entry into force and application
Annex I	—	List of relevant commodities and products by CN/HS code
Annex II	—	Content of the due diligence statement
Annex III	—	Content of the simplified statement

3.2 Hierarchy of the sources

Note

How to read the sources together

The Regulation — creates the obligations; it is directly applicable in all 27 Member States, with no need for national legislation (FAQ 1.22).

Delegated and implementing acts — amend Annex I (delegated) and set technical rules such as how the system works and the country list (implementing). Also binding.

The Guidance Document — an interpretation agreed between the Commission and the Member States; it neither replaces nor amends the Regulation, but it guides national authorities and courts.

The FAQ — practical answers from the Commission's services; non-binding, but they indicate how authorities are likely to act.

The infographics — illustrative scenarios of roles and obligations along typical chains.

National rules complete the picture on two points: penalties (Article 25) and the organisation of competent authorities (Article 14).

3.3 The principle of proportionality

The Guidance Document recalls that proportionality is a general principle of Union law and must guide the interpretation and enforcement of the Regulation (Guidance, Introduction; FAQ 10.5). In practice this means that authorities must take the circumstances of each case into account — but the principle does not authorise anyone to ignore express requirements such as geolocation or the cut-off date.