Grounding EUDR Forest Geolocation inside FSC Chain of Custody
EUDR compliance requires paper packaging to carry verified forest polygon coordinates through segregated chain of custody, eliminating mass balance credits.
Polygon Boundary
Geographic Delineation
Geospatial mapping files trace the exact shape and limits of forest concessions from which paper pulp is harvested. A polygon boundary consists of a closed sequence of latitude and longitude coordinates that represents the physical area of a timber plot on a map. This digital perimeter allows wood sourcing companies to prove that their harvest occurred within authorized boundaries and outside protected ecological zones.
It replaces simple point coordinates for larger land parcels to prevent false claims of origin.
Spatial Audit
Regulatory frameworks like the European Union Deforestation Regulation require a polygon boundary for any forest plot exceeding four hectares in size. Having this detailed digital shape allows compliance auditors to overlay harvesting coordinates with historical satellite imagery of the forest canopy. By comparing these datasets, they can confirm that the forest from which the paper board or pulp was sourced did not experience deforestation after the designated cutoff date.
Furthermore, mill operators can use these polygon maps to verify that the timber was harvested legally according to local land tenure rights. If a paper supply chain lacks these digital boundaries, the finished products cannot be legally sold in highly regulated markets. This level of transparency is necessary for tracing the origin of virgin kraftliner and bleached chemical pulp used in modern food packaging.
Technical Requirement
Administrative and technical capacity can limit the collection of high-resolution polygon data in remote regions with weak digital infrastructure. Smallholders managing tiny timber plots often lack the GPS tools or the technical expertise needed to generate a valid polygon boundary. Under current rules, plots under four hectares are exempt from the polygon requirement and may use a single point coordinate instead.