akar.earthGeolocation: Definition
What is geolocation under the EUDR? The coordinates of every plot where a commodity was produced, the point vs polygon rule, and how to collect it.
Geolocation, under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), is the latitude and longitude of every plot of land where a covered commodity was produced, given as a point or a polygon with at least six decimal digits. It must be included in the due diligence statement for each product placed on or exported from the EU market.
Why it matters
Geolocation is what makes EUDR checks possible. Without it, nobody can test whether a bag of coffee or a shipment of palm kernel came from land that was deforested after 31 December 2020. Products without valid geolocation cannot be placed on the EU market, whatever their certification.
How it works
- Plots of more than 4 hectares need a polygon that outlines the full boundary, except for cattle.
- Plots of 4 hectares or less can be given as a single point.
- Data is usually submitted in GeoJSON through the EU Information System as part of the due diligence statement.
- The operator overlays the coordinates on forest maps and imagery to assess deforestation risk.
Indonesia and Southeast Asia angle
Indonesian coffee, cocoa, rubber and palm oil come largely from smallholders who sell through collectors and cooperatives. Collecting geolocation means reaching thousands of farmers, many without formal land titles. Commodity guides such as coffee geolocation and palm oil geolocation cover the practical steps. Field teams that already map plots for carbon or agroforestry projects can collect EUDR-ready data at the same visit.
Geolocation is not a one-off task. Farmers add or sell plots, cooperatives gain and lose members, and supply bases shift each season. A database that can be updated and linked to purchase records is worth more than a single mapping campaign.
Common mistakes
- Recording the farmer’s house or collection point instead of the plot.
- Rounding coordinates below six decimals.
- One point for a large plot that needs a polygon.
- Not linking each plot to specific deliveries, so traceability breaks.
Geolocation only works if it is linked to traceability records through the chain.
Frequently asked questions
How precise must EUDR geolocation be?
Coordinates must use latitude and longitude with at least six decimal digits. Plots over 4 hectares need a polygon; smaller plots can use a single point.
Who collects the geolocation data?
The EU operator is legally responsible, but in practice the data is collected at origin by exporters, cooperatives, collectors or farmer groups and passed up the chain.