Navigating future legislation

New sustainability legislation from the EU and the UK is set to dramatically change how suppliers of fats and oils operate. Gary Lewis, president of the National Edible Oil Distributor’s Association and sales director at KTC Edibles, explains what it means for the industry

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which was set to come into force this year on December 30th, has been delayed for a year. Despite the delay it represents a significant change with the UK’s version (UKDR/UKDD) set to follow. For suppliers across the food industry, understanding and preparing for these laws is crucial for maintaining market access and meeting consumer expectations.

The scope of the legislation

Under the new EUDR rules coming into force at the end of 2025, businesses must prove that their ingredients were not sourced from land deforested after December 31st 2020. This requirement is not just about tracking where products come from; it’s about ensuring full supply chain transparency.

For many suppliers in the food industry, this will mean overhauling procurement processes, enhancing traceability and working closely with suppliers to meet the stringent new criteria. Non-compliance will result in fines of up to 4% of global annual turnover, confiscation of products or a ban from trading in the market. 

Looking beyond the EUDR, the UK’s deforestation regulation is expected to be announced soon and will differ slightly from the EUDR. It aims to ‘tackle illegal deforestation in the UK supply chain’ – UKDD will only apply to businesses with a turnover of more than £50 million and not require geolocation data, making it simpler from an administrative point of view. 

Alongside this, the US Forest Act is potentially set to come into force, proving that EUDR is a sign of the times. 

Industry Implications

The implications of this legislation are far-reaching. For the Oil and Fats industry, the EUDR affects palm oil, soya and cattle – the challenge for companies involved in producing, importing and selling commodities is twofold: ensuring compliance and managing the cost implications of these changes.

Palm oil, for instance, has long been associated with deforestation, leading to widespread criticism and calls for boycotts. However, companies like KTC Edibles have demonstrated that sustainable palm oil is not only possible but should be the industry standard. Since 2022, KTC has only offered 100% RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certified sustainable segregated palm oil, positioning itself at the forefront of responsible sourcing. 

Similarly, the soya industry, which is at a critical juncture much like palm oil was a decade ago, must navigate the complexities of the EUDR. KTC’s proactive approach to securing a segregated, EUDR-compliant soy oil supply chain serves as a blueprint for the industry. By ensuring full traceability and compliance, companies can avoid the pitfalls of non-compliance and build a sustainable future.

Preparing for compliance

For companies in the food industry like us, the key to navigating this new regulatory landscape is preparation. And I’m glad to say we are well prepared for the incoming legislation. We have been using 100% RSPO segregated certified sustainable palm oil since 2022. We can provide compliant products, expert guidance, and all the data you need to provide to the EU. 

The RSPO has been a valuable partner, offering support to customers around these regulations – and members will benefit from access to a new platform that provides a lot of the data they need.

With regard to soya oil, we’ve made excellent progress and secured a supply of segregated, EUDR-compliant product. We are now finalising the system to ensure customers’ lives are as easy as possible before the deadline.

Looking ahead

The introduction of the EUDR and UKDR/UKDD marks a significant shift towards sustainability and traceability in the food industry. However, this is just the beginning. As global awareness of environmental issues grows, regulations will likely continue to evolve, expanding to cover more commodities and imposing even stricter requirements.

There is a lesson for us all here and that is that staying ahead of the curve is crucial. Companies, whether it’s suppliers to fish and chip shops,  that invest in sustainable practices now will be better positioned to adapt to new regulations and meet the demands of increasingly eco-conscious consumers.

Be at the Frontline of FOG management

Fats, oils and grease (FOG) management is a vital part of every foodservice operator’s business but it doesn’t have to be difficult, says Jestic which offers the Frontline International system.

Comprising fully automated, modular systems, Frontline International can store, dispose of, and refresh all cooking oils and grease.  Waste oil tanks can be placed both inside and outside outlets, which combined with a range of modular pumping stations and filtration units create a self-contained system that pumps excess and used oil into secure storage for later collection.

For outlets without the flexibility to install pipework, the Frontline system of oil caddies provides an alternative to staff carrying drums of oil across the kitchen to manual disposal points. 

Frontline says it is possible to see a return on investment in less than 18 months, as oil can be more efficiently returned and sold, while improved filtration also permits longer performance overall from existing oil. 

Jestic 01892 831 960 www.jestic.co.uk

Effective filtration with Vito

Stay on top of oil management with the Vito range of portable oil filtration equipment available exclusively from Valentine & CuisinEquip.

Without the need for any additional chemicals, the Vito range removes food particles and harmful carbon from frying oil, helping preserve the optimal taste, colour, and texture of fried foods.

Built with sustainability and safety in mind, Vito’s portable range ensures operators avoid direct contact with hot oil. After cooling, the filter box and drip tray can be placed directly in the dishwasher while the filters are fully biodegradable.

Also available is VITOconnect – a cloud-based platform which enables operators to set filtration target goals, offers custom alerts and deliver e-mail notifications if a filtration target is not met. What’s more, the technology can precisely monitor a site’s filtration cycles, achieving accurate monitoring of oil quality. 

Vito UK  0118 957 1344 www.vitouk.co.uk