As a company committed to sustainable and ethical practices, JKCC General Supplies Limited (JKCC) is taking a bold step towards compliance and sustainability.
As a company committed to sustainable and ethical practices, Just Know Your Coffee Cup General Supplies Limited (JKCC) is taking a bold step towards compliance and sustainability. The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a landmark piece of legislation that mandates comprehensive due diligence for operators and traders placing commodities like coffee on the EU market. This regulation, which takes effect in 2025, aims to ensure that products are not linked to deforestation or forest degradation that occurred after December 31, 2020.
For a company like ours, this is more than just a regulatory requirement; it’s an opportunity to strengthen our supply chain, protect the environment, and elevate the global reputation of Ugandan coffee. We see the EUDR as a timely and necessary move to safeguard forests, promote ethical trade, and support climate action.
Our Due Diligence Framework
The EUDR mandates a three-step due diligence process: 1) information gathering, 2) risk assessment, and 3) risk mitigation. We have developed a robust compliance framework that integrates these steps directly into our operational strategy. Our roadmap is built on four key pillars that go beyond simple compliance and aim for industry leadership.
- Implementing a Geo-referenced Traceability Protocol
We have implemented a comprehensive system for farmer profiling and geo-mapping to establish a clear chain of custody from farm to port. Our geo-referenced data, which includes
polygon coordinates for each farm plot, allows us to verify that our sourcing locations are deforestation-free against the EUDR’s cut-off date of December 31, 2020. This data is the foundation of our due diligence statements and provides the necessary proof of origin.
- Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement. Compliance starts at the grassroots. We are conducting targeted capacity-building workshops to educate our network of farmers on the EUDR’s requirements and the importance of forest conservation. This proactive engagement is crucial for risk mitigation and ensures our upstream supply chain aligns with international sustainability standards. By encouraging agroforestry and other sustainable land-use practices, we empower our farmers to become stewards of the land.
Implementing a Digital Due Diligence Platform
JKCC is investing in a digital due diligence platform to aggregate and manage our supply chain data. This system will serve as the central repository for our due diligence statements and will enable seamless data sharing with competent EU authorities during official checks. This investment ensures transparency, accountability, and the ability to maintain real-time records on sourcing and farm-level compliance.
Collaborating with Partners and Stakeholders
We believe that multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for building resilient supply chains that respect both people and the planet. JKCC is working hand-in-hand with cooperatives, local authorities, certifying bodies, and EU-based buyers to align our practices with global expectations. This collaborative approach is key to achieving a sustainable coffee sector in Uganda.
Beyond Compliance: A Vision for a Regenerative Future
While the EUDR presents compliance requirements, we view it as an opportunity to improve farmer livelihoods and protect Uganda’s rich biodiversity. By proactively aligning our operations with the EUDR, we are not just meeting a regulatory requirement but we are solidifying our market position and contributing to a global paradigm shift toward ethical and sustainable trade.
At JKCC, we are not just preparing for EUDR; we are embracing a future where coffee is grown, traded, and consumed with a conscience. We reaffirm our belief that coffee should not only energize mornings but also safeguard forests and communities. We are on the path to becoming a leading example of how African coffee companies can embrace sustainability, comply with global standards, and thrive in an evolving marketplace.
Together, we brew coffee with a conscience.