New cocoa risk assessment guidance targets EU deforestation data gaps

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) have published a new framework to help cocoa companies assess deforestation risk, as inconsistent datasets and verification methods complicate sourcing and compliance decisions.

Developed with cocoa companies, producing-country stakeholders, technical experts, compliance providers and public authorities, the Active Deforestation Risk Assessment (DRA) Methodology aims to make assessments more transparent, consistent and evidence-based across cocoa-producing landscapes.

Mike Matarasso, Impact Director and Head of North America at WCF, said: “The cocoa sector needs robust, transparent and practical approaches to assessing deforestation risk. This methodology represents an important step forward in supporting greater consistency, stronger verification and better-informed decision-making across cocoa supply chains.”

EUDR sharpens compliance pressure

The framework arrives as cocoa businesses prepare for the EU Deforestation Regulation. Large and medium-sized operators must comply from 30 December 2026, while most micro and small operators face a 30 June 2027 deadline.

Cocoa and derived products remain within the regulation’s scope, increasing pressure on businesses to gather reliable geolocation data, document risk assessments and demonstrate that products are deforestation-free and legally produced.

The cocoa sector needs robust, transparent and practical approaches to assessing deforestation risk.

This methodology represents an important step forward in supporting greater consistency, stronger verification and better-informed decision-making across cocoa supply chains.”

Mike Matarasso, Impact Director and Head of North America at WCF

The methodology guides users through plot data quality assurance, forest baseline definition and validation, deforestation overlay analysis, legal zoning checks, verification procedures, and mitigation and corrective action.

Rather than allowing one dataset or analytical method to determine an outcome automatically, the framework asks assessors to compare evidence, document their reasoning and carry out further checks when uncertainty remains.

Louis Reymondin, Senior Scientist – Digital Inclusion at the Alliance, commented: “No single dataset can fully capture the complexity of tropical agricultural landscapes. This methodology provides a structured framework for assessing evidence, strengthening verification processes and improving transparency in how risk assessments are conducted.”

Supporting fairer sourcing decisions

The approach could help cocoa buyers, manufacturers and compliance teams avoid decisions based on incomplete, conflicting or poor-quality information.

It also links environmental scrutiny with the fair treatment of producers by reducing the risk that uncertain evidence leads to unjustified sourcing decisions.

Improved forest baselines, mapping and data-quality controls could support more consistent monitoring and accounting of greenhouse gas emissions linked to land-use change.

WCF said companies should use the methodology as a practical reference rather than a replacement for national regulations, legal advice, internal due diligence systems or local verification. It does not guarantee regulatory compliance.

The guidance forms part of WCF’s wider regulatory assurance and standards work, which includes assessments of national and publicly available datasets, protected-area boundaries and land-use change emissions accounting.