On 2-3 July 2026, the UIA seminar “Beyond Borders: Customs Law and International Trade across IP, Agrifood and Transport” brought together legal practitioners and industry experts from different jurisdictions in Bologna to discuss how customs law, international trade, technology, and sustainability increasingly intersect in day-to-day business operations.
Representing KKG Legal in Bologna, Barbara Jelonek-Jarco, PhD, partner and UIA National Representative, brought the EUDR into the customs law discussion with her presentation, “EUDR at the Border: Customs Classification, Due Diligence Statements and Supply-Chain Liability”.
The contribution focused on the practical consequences of the EU Deforestation Regulation for companies operating across international supply chains. Particular attention was given to customs classification as a factor determining whether a product falls within the scope of the EUDR, as well as to due diligence statements, the allocation of responsibilities between operators and traders, and liability risks arising across complex supply chains.
These issues show that EUDR compliance extends far beyond sustainability reporting. It is increasingly becoming relevant in the context of customs law, trade documentation, contractual arrangements, and operational risk management, requiring close cooperation between legal, compliance, procurement, and logistics teams.
Thank you to the UIA, the Bologna Bar Association, the organizing committee, fellow speakers, and all participants for the substantive discussions and valuable exchange of international perspectives.
