In our partnership with WWF, we want to ensure responsible international sourcing of critical raw materials and the establishment and expansion of traceable, deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains. The following targets apply to our own-brand products (standard and promotional range) in all Lidl countries.
We are committed to sourcing high-risk raw materials - such as soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood, cellulose, and paper - from deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains. To ensure this, we continuously refine our raw material strategy to prevent deforestation and land conversion for our own-brand products. This approach aligns with the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFI) and the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation, and is based on the EUDR legislation.
We ensure that both we and our suppliers adhere to the cut-off dates for deforestation- and conversion-free set by the AFI and the EU Deforestation Regulation. This applies to the high-risk raw materials soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood, cellulose and paper.
* Each standard defines a cut-off date, marking the point after which deforestation for growing raw materials is prohibited at a specific location. These dates vary between standards.
We require all current and new suppliers to adopt a policy that ensures their operations are free from deforestation, land conversion and exploitation by the end of the 2026 financial year. This commitment goes beyond the legal requirements.
As part of the partnership, we are committed to creating fully traceable soy supply chains that are free from deforestation, conversion and exploitation. To achieve this, we will thoroughly assess the origin of soy used directly in our supply chain (alternative proteins and soy products) as well as in the feed of selected animal products such as chicken, eggs and pork. This analysis will help us identify areas in need of action.
In addition, we will work with the Collaboration for Forests and Agriculture (CFA) to evaluate and address issues to deforestation, land conversion and exploitation within our own soy supply chains. Our goal is to ensure that, in the long term, our soy supply chains are completely traceable and free from deforestation, conversion and exploitation.
Starting from the 2025 financial year, we are committed to sourcing only traceable palm and palm kernel oil that is free from deforestation, land conversion, and exploitation. To ensure, 100% of our palm and palm kernel oil used in both food and non-food products must meet the RSPO Segregated or EU Organic standards. In addition, 100% of the derivatives should at least comply with the RSPO Mass Balance Standard and committed to work towards segregation.
From August 2025 on we work towards sourcing traceable, deforestation-, conversion- and exploitation-free paper and cellulose products on an international scale. To achieve this, we will analyze the quality and origin of paper and cellulose products. This analysis will help us develop a comprehensive long-term strategy to ensure that all paper and cellulose products are fully traceable and responsibly sourced. This includes cellulose and paper in our own-brand products, their labels and packaging in all Lidl countries. The FSC, FSC mix, recycling and, in exceptional cases, PEFC standards are accepted.
Our goal is to sell fully traceable and sustainable cocoa products. To achieve this, we will increase the proportion of sustainably certified cocoa to 100%. The minimum standards accepted are organic (EU), Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade.
A key component of our efforts involves analyzing the origins of our cocoa. This analysis will guide the development of a comprehensive sustainable cocoa sourcing strategy, which we are developing together with WWF. This strategy involves: investing in full traceability for cocoa beans and butter; participating in conservation projects in key or high-risk cultivation areas; and engaging with relevant stakeholders through cocoa initiatives committed to sustainable production.
We are committed to achieving 100% sustainably certified coffee products, including coffee capsules, instant coffee, and cappuccino. Our goal is to ensure that until the end of financial year 2028, all own-brand coffee products sold will carry a recognized sustainability label. The minimum accepted certifications are Organic (EU), Rainforest Alliance, and Fairtrade.
In addition, we are also committed to continuously increasing the proportion of certified roasted coffee to 100%.
Another goal we have set ourselves as part of our partnership with WWF is to ensure fully certified tea products. This includes all black teas, green teas, and rooibos teas from our own-brand products in all Lidl countries. Organic (EU), Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade certifications are accepted.
