Country benchmarking: Definition

Updated 2026-11-02 · 2 min read · By the akar.earth specialist team

What is EUDR country benchmarking? How the EU classifies countries as low, standard or high risk, and what Indonesia's rating means for exporters.

Country benchmarking is the EUDR system under which the European Commission classifies countries, or parts of countries, as low, standard or high risk of producing commodities linked to deforestation. The category sets how deep an operator’s due diligence must go and how often authorities check shipments.

Why it matters

Benchmarking changes the cost of compliance. Products from low-risk countries qualify for simplified due diligence: operators still collect information but do not need to run a full risk assessment and mitigation. Standard and high-risk origins need the full process. The regulation also sets minimum check rates for competent authorities, rising from low to standard to high risk, so higher-risk origins face more inspections.

How it works

The Commission assesses countries using criteria such as deforestation rates, agricultural expansion, production trends of covered commodities and the strength of laws and enforcement. It published its first classification in 2025 and can review it. Most countries were placed in the standard category. Read our full page on country benchmarking.

Indonesia and Southeast Asia angle

In the 2025 classification, Indonesia was listed as standard risk, as were other major producers in the region. That means EU operators sourcing Indonesian palm oil, coffee, cocoa, rubber or wood need full due diligence, including risk assessment by commodity and region. Exporters that can show low deforestation risk at plot level, with clean geolocation and legality evidence, make that assessment easier. See palm oil risk assessment as an example.

Benchmarking can also apply to parts of a country, and the classification may be reviewed as conditions change. Operators should record which classification applied when each due diligence statement was filed.

Common mistakes

• Treating a standard-risk rating as a ban. It is not; products can still enter with due diligence.
• Assuming a country rating overrides plot-level evidence. Operators must still assess the specific supply chain.
• Using outdated lists; check the Commission page.

Benchmarking feeds into the due diligence statement. Start at the EUDR hub.