Xinyang Tea Culture Festival Opens with EUDR Compliance Support for Exporters

The 34th Xinyang Tea Culture Festival and 2026 Tea Expo commenced on April 12, featuring the release of a localized EUDR compliance guide for Chinese green tea exporters. This development is particularly relevant for tea producers, exporters, and supply chain stakeholders targeting the EU market.

Event Overview

On April 12, 2026, Henan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs collaborated with SGS and Intertek to launch the "Tea Export EUDR Due Diligence Operational Guide (Simplified Chinese Version)" during the Xinyang Tea Culture Festival. The guide covers six key modules including origin tracing, forest risk assessment, and supplier audits, with immediate implementation in major production regions like Xinyang, Hangzhou, and Fuzhou.

Impact on Key Sectors

Direct Export Enterprises

Tea exporters to EU markets now have standardized procedures for compliance documentation. The localized guide reduces interpretation risks for SMEs navigating complex EUDR requirements.

Supply Chain Service Providers

Third-party verification agencies and logistics operators must align audit processes with the new framework, particularly for traceability systems and risk mapping protocols.

Key Action Points for Industry Players

Prioritize Documentation Alignment

Exporters should cross-check existing supply chain records against the guide's six modules, with particular attention to geolocation data collection standards.

Conduct Gap Analysis

Manufacturers are advised to benchmark current practices against the forest risk assessment matrix provided in the document before Q3 2026.

Leverage Regional Implementation

Producers in Xinyang, Hangzhou and Fuzhou can utilize local government-supported compliance workshops referenced in the guide.

Industry Perspective

From an industry standpoint, this represents a proactive adaptation to EUDR rather than mere compliance. The simultaneous rollout across multiple production zones suggests coordinated preparation for potential EU audits. While the guide provides operational clarity, its effectiveness will depend on consistent implementation across fragmented supply chains.

Conclusion

This development signals China's tea industry's strategic response to increasing EU regulatory scrutiny. Market participants should view the guide as a living document requiring periodic updates as EUDR enforcement mechanisms evolve.

Sources

• Official release by Henan Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
• SGS technical documentation
• Intertek compliance advisory
• Ongoing monitoring of EUDR implementation timelines recommended