In our partnership with WWF, we analyze and manage the international sourcing of defined raw materials. Our focus is on the systematic establishment 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 where the WWF partnership applies.
We increasingly source high-risk raw materials - such as soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, beef, wood, cellulose, and paper - from deforestation- and conversion-free supply chains and actively manage our raw material strategy to address risks for our own-brand products. This approach rigorously implements the requirements of the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation and aligns with the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFI).
We and our suppliers work in accordance with the binding requirements and cut-off dates of 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.
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.
Since the beginning of the 2025 financial year, we source 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.
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 our paper and cellulose products are fully traceable. This includes cellulose and paper in our own-brand products, their labels and packaging in all Lidl countries where the WWF partnership applies. The FSC, FSC mix, recycling and, in exceptional cases, PEFC standards are accepted.
We strive for full traceability of our cocoa. To achieve this, we are gradually increasing the proportion of independently certified raw materials in our own-brand products to 100%. The minimum standards accepted are EU Organic, Rainforest Alliance, or Fairtrade. A key component of our efforts involves analyzing the origins of our cocoa.
By the end of the 2028 financial year, we will transition all own-brand coffee products (incl. capsules, instant coffee, and cappuccino) to recognized certifications. In addition, we are continuously increasing the proportion of certified roasted coffee to 100%. We accept EU Organic, Rainforest Alliance, or Fairtrade as minimum standards.
Our range of private-label black, green, and rooibos teas in participating countries is being transitioned to certified raw materials meeting EU Organic, Rainforest Alliance, or Fairtrade standards.
