Consumption in the European Union is a major driver of global deforestation, with high demand for forest risk commodities contributing to biodiversity loss and climate change worldwide. The EUDR marks a milestone legislative response. It requires operators to ensure that products placed on or exported from the EU market are free from deforestation and forest degradation, legally produced, and geolocated to the plot level. Maintaining its high ambition and ensuring its timely implementation are crucial. This policy brief outlines recommendations for the EUDR’s effective and just operationalization. For example, EU Member States should invest in enforcement capacity, foster interagency coordination, and harmonise verification approaches to ensure consistent application of the regulation. Building distributive legitimacy also requires inclusive engagement with producer countries, including providing targeted support to smallholders.