EUDR Compliance in Retail with Automated End-to-End Processes

Schäfer Shop

Schäfer Shop is an established provider of office, operational, and warehouse furnishings, offering a comprehensive product range for the modern workplace. With over 50 years of experience, Schäfer Shop helps businesses create workplaces that are efficient, functional, and future-ready. The portfolio spans office furniture and supplies, warehouse and operational equipment, and customized interior solutions — all backed by hands-on consulting, reliable service, and a broad product range tailored to professional needs.

The Challenge

With the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) coming into force, Schäfer Shop faced a complex task: approximately 200 suppliers, around 10,000 affected products, and a sales volume in the upper millions had to be mapped in a regulatory-compliant manner — including import and intra-European trade structures.

Particularly challenging was the dynamic nature of the business model. Given the use of dropshipping and fast-moving goods flows, it had to be ensured that due diligence statements (DDS) could be collected, reviewed, and passed along the supply chain in a timely manner. Especially in an e-commerce retail environment where all processes must run seamlessly, manual data exchange between the ERP system and the compliance platform was not an option. What was needed was a compliance platform that integrates smoothly with SAP S/4HANA.

At the same time, the existing Excel-based model for climate data collection was reaching its limits. Growing data volumes and increasing demands for transparency and analytical capability made a scalable, integrated solution necessary.

The Solution

To address these requirements in a structured way, Schäfer Shop chose the VERSO Supply Chain Hub with the EUDR module. The deciding factors were the combination of technical capability — in particular the API integration — and subject-matter expertise. The solution enables large volumes of data to be processed in a structured manner while reliably meeting regulatory requirements. VERSO also brings extensive experience in implementing ESG regulations and in supplier engagement.

With VERSO, Schäfer Shop was able to establish an approach capable of processing large data volumes, mapping various EUDR scenarios, and meeting the demands of an operationally driven retail business. The API integration played a key role, as it supports integration into existing processes and lays the technical foundation for future productive data exchange.

To turn the solution into a sustainable day-to-day process, VERSO provided close implementation support. This included comprehensive onboarding, multiple workshops, and intensive coordination to ensure optimal integration into existing workflows. Suppliers were also brought into the process and supported by the VERSO team as needed. The result was more than just a software rollout — it was a jointly developed process aligned with Schäfer Shop’s actual operations and designed to hold up in daily business.

In addition, the Climate Hub was used to set up climate data collection and goal monitoring in a more efficient and transparent way.

The Results

Using the VERSO Supply Chain Hub, Schäfer Shop was able to map and test a complete EUDR process — from the collection of geodata and the gathering of DDS numbers through risk assessment to the creation and transmission of due diligence statements. For imports, it was ensured that suppliers could provide the required geodata pragmatically and efficiently — thanks to the platform’s strong usability and multilingual interface, this posed no challenges for suppliers.

Although the EUDR’s regulatory framework was subject to shifts and adjustments in the interim, Schäfer Shop was able to gain valuable early experience and is well prepared for future implementation. The API integration has already been tested and is ready for deployment, enabling the high-volume, fast-moving order data — particularly in dropshipping — to be processed effectively in practice.

Equally important was that the solution not only delivers on a technical and regulatory level, but also proves itself in everyday use. The high usability, intuitive design, and ease of handling for internal teams and suppliers significantly ease implementation in daily operations. And when questions do arise, support is quick to respond.

Climate data collection has also been fully digitized and automated. With the Climate Hub, Schäfer Shop now has a centralized solution for structured data collection, transparent reporting, and targeted climate goal monitoring.

Overall, the company is well positioned not only for the EUDR, but also for upcoming regulatory requirements and rising market and customer expectations in the areas of ESG and supply chain management.