Masterclass series by CSI sheds light on EUDR and other regulations related to soy

The Collaborative Soy Initiative (CSI) and IUCN NL have wrapped up the CSI masterclass series on Soy Sustainability in EU and Global Trade Context, including two bonus webinars on recent updates to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and other developments. Yesterday, the series was concluded with the eighth episode on the Commission’s latest EUDR simplifications updates, the so-called ‘April Package’. ‘We organised the masterclass series to shed light on EUDR and other EU regulations as well as complementary, authoritative voluntary frameworks related to deforestation and conversion-free, sustainable soy,’ shares Heleen van den Hombergh, coordinator of CSI and senior expert agro-commodities at IUCN NL.

Header photo: © Soy plants by Hannah Shedrow on Unsplash

Soy sustainability in EU and global context

The masterclass series ‘Soy Sustainability in EU and Global Trade Context’ entailed six episodes organised by CSI and partners, plus two bonus webinars by CSI and IUCN NL, and the final episode about the April Package.

More than 250 professionals working in soy production and trade, as well as people from NGOs and other international organisations participated in the series. The series paid attention to the ‘why, what, how, where, and who’ of EUDR and other sustainability compliance matters, and advised on setting up a robust soy company policy.

In addition to the EUDR, other EU-related topics were discussed including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), soy standard benchmarking, and Mercosur. The updates in October 2025, January 2026, and May 2026 focused on the delays, changes, and simplifications of the EUDR.

‘The final master classes webinars of January and May 2026 informed participants in the best way we could about the latest changes in the EUDR and what they actually mean – especially for the responsibilities and leverage of downstream stakeholders,’ Van den Hombergh says.

Practical insight for soy producers and traders

With EU regulations being adapted and postponed, it has not been easy for soy producers, operators and traders to gain a clear overview on what to expect and what measures they should take. ‘We organised the masterclass series to shed light on EUDR and other EU regulations as well as complementary, authoritative voluntary frameworks related to deforestation and conversion-free, sustainable soy. We provided participants with clarity and practical insight, so they can better navigate these challenging waves of regulatory and market requirements,’ continues Van den Hombergh. ‘Successful company sourcing policies these days are about combining climate, environmental, and social values and combining data sources to ensure risk mitigation and regulatory compliance.’

 The Collaborative Soy Initiative

In the Collaborative Soy Initiative supply chain stakeholders and experts work together towards conversion-free, sustainable soy production and market uptake, on a global scale. Over the past years, CSI has delivered info webinars, closed expert meetings, and written guidance for companies aiming to create, maintain, or improve their soy policy to ensure EUDR compliant, deforestation, and conversion free responsible soy.