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.
WGS 84
Geodetic Standard
Global positioning standards define the mathematical model of the earth used to determine precise geographic coordinates. The wgs 84 system provides the standard reference frame for satellite-based navigation and forest mapping worldwide. This geodetic datum is used by global positioning system receivers to calculate the latitude and longitude of timber concessions and paper mill locations.
It allows different mapping programs to share location data without error or distortion.
Spatial Accuracy
Sourcing teams in the pulp and paper industry must use a consistent geodetic reference to ensure that the coordinates of their forest plots are accurate. If coordinates are captured using different regional datums, the plotted locations can shift by hundreds of metres when imported into a central geographic information system. This shift can cause a compliant forest plot to appear as though it lies within a protected national park or a deforested zone, triggering regulatory alarms.
By standardising all forest boundary coordinates to wgs 84, paper producers can confidently match their harvest areas with satellite imagery for deforestation monitoring. This uniformity is required for satisfying the strict traceability demands of modern packaging regulations. It ensures that the digital trail from the forest floor to the printing house is mathematically sound.
Operational Limit
Physical shifts in the earth’s tectonic plates cause the coordinates of land features to slowly drift relative to the satellite-based datum over time. While the reference system is updated periodically, these minor movements can eventually introduce discrepancies in high-precision mapping. For this reason, local surveyors must apply epoch corrections when measuring forest boundaries to maintain accuracy over decades.