Sustainability: What Awaits Your Animal Feed Company in 2025?

The animal feed sector is constantly evolving, and sustainability is playing an increasingly significant role. In 2024, various developments have started that will also impact your company in 2025. Terms like EUDR, MI5.5, and DC-01 have become widely discussed, but what exactly do they entail? And more importantly, what do they mean for your animal feed business?

In this blog, we explain what these regulations and standards entail and the steps you need to take to comply with them.

EUDR: Mandatory Deforestation-Free Products

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires companies to place only products on the market that do not contribute to deforestation and are legally produced. This means that products originating from areas deforested after December 30, 2020, can no longer be traded or exported within the EU.

Who is it for?

The EUDR applies to companies that import, produce, or trade products such as soy, palm oil, cocoa, and coffee. The full list of affected products can be found in Regulation (EU) 2023/1115.

What does your company need to do to comply?

• Determine whether and which EUDR obligations apply to your business.
• Implement a due diligence system for each product and its origin:
  • Record geolocations of production areas.
  • Conduct a risk analysis to prevent deforestation.
  • Take control measures to mitigate risks.
• Document your approach in your quality management system.
• Register all purchased and sold products with a deforestation-free origin.
• Prepare a due diligence statement.

Timeline:

• Large companies must comply by December 31, 2025.
• SMEs have until June 30, 2026.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is responsible for enforcing this regulation in the Netherlands.

MI5.5: Calculating and Verifying the Carbon Footprint

The MI5.5 standard was developed for verifying the carbon footprint (CO₂ emissions) of animal feeds. This is done according to the Nevedi Protocol, which serves as the basis for reliable and transparent calculations.

Who is it for?

MI5.5 is intended for GMP+ certified compound feed companies in the Netherlands.

What does your company need to do to comply?

• Gain access to the Nevedi Protocol.
• Calculate the carbon footprint of your animal feed using data from the protocol.
• Transparently communicate the calculated CO₂ emissions to your customers.
• Implement the requirements of MI5.5 in your quality management system.

Timeline:

In 2024, MI5.5 was introduced as a pilot year. From 2025, certification is recommended so that compound feed companies can use certified CO₂ data.
The standard is regulated by Nevedi and GMP+ International, with certification bodies monitoring compliance.

DC-01: Calculating the LCA Value of Animal Feed

The DC-01 standard focuses on verifying the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) value of animal feed. This helps companies better understand the environmental impact of their products and communicate this transparently.

Who is it for?

DC-01 is intended for producers of compound feeds, premixes, and traders of feed materials in Belgium who hold an FCA certification.

What does your company need to do to comply?

• Calculate the LCA value of your animal feed using approved tools.
• Share the calculated impact value with your customers.
• Integrate the DC-01 requirements into your quality management system.

Timeline:

DC-01 is a voluntary standard, and there is no fixed implementation timeline.
The regulation is managed by BFA and Ovocom, with certification bodies responsible for compliance monitoring.

Would you like help or advice?

At Schouten Advies, we understand that these developments can have a significant impact on your company. Regulations and certification standards are complex and require careful implementation. Do you have questions about EUDR, MI5.5, or DC-01, and do you want to know how your company can comply? We can help you with:

• Determining which EUDR obligations apply to your business.
• Calculating and verifying your carbon footprint according to MI5.5.
• Conducting an LCA calculation and implementing DC-01.

Feel free to contact us for tailored advice. Together, we will ensure that your animal feed company is ready for the sustainability challenges of 2025.