New online course for Salvadoran businesses on EU deforestation rules
International regulations are growing more stringent about sustainability and environmental protection. The International Trade Centre (ITC) is launching an e-learning course to help Salvadoran producers meet upcoming European requirements to prevent deforestation.
The EU Deforestation Free Regulation (EUDR) aims to ensure that products are made without harming forests. That requires businesses and producers to document their work at every step in the process of making their goods. Importers inside the EU must comply with the rules, but producers must adapt to provide the data needed to comply.
For small businesses, especially in developing countries, that creates a challenge – one that the Ilamatepec project at ITC has long worked to address.
Funded by the European Union (EU), Ilamatepec promotes sustainable and inclusive growth of Salvadoran exports. The project facilitates the access of Salvadoran products to the EU, strengthening sustainability in their value chains and increasing their competitiveness in key sectors such as coffee.
Through Ilamatepec, six manuals on EUDR were translated to Spanish, and four webinars were held for nearly 300 people from Salvadoran companies and organizations. These activities showed entrepreneurs and producers how to export deforestation-free products, while promoting sustainability as a key attribute for accessing the European market.
Online course to deepen EUDR compliance
The upcoming online course, available from 2 December 2024 on the ITC SME Trade Academy platform, continues these efforts. Registration runs from 4 November to 1 December. The course is aimed at people and businesses who wish to understand EUDR regulations in detail. Throughout the course, participants will be able to:
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Familiarize themselves with key EUDR concepts and terms.
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Analyse practical scenarios for companies of different sizes and locations in the supply chain.
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Understand the technological criteria needed for compliance verification.
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Follow a step-by-step guide to the regulation’s specific requirements.
For Salvadoran producers, compliance with the EUDR is not only a regulatory obligation, but also an opportunity to position themselves as responsible and sustainable suppliers to international markets. With the support of the Ilamatepec project, ITC reaffirms its commitment to facilitate the internationalization of Salvadoran companies, providing the necessary tools and knowledge to meet the demands of the European market.
