China urged to delay new compound rubber imports regulation

Bangkok – The Thai agriculture and cooperatives minister has urged China to consider delaying its enforcement of new regulation regarding the import of compound rubber products for another year.

The Thai newspaper Pataya Mail said Pitipong Puengboon na Ayutthaya on 7 Nov asked for the delay to allow time for Thai producers to adjust their manufacturing processes to meet the new standard.

Pitipong made the request during a meeting with the Chinese trade delegation in Thailand.

The new Chinese standard for compound rubber imports, slated to take effect on 1 Jan, mandates that natural rubber shall not constitute more than 88 percent of compound rubber composition.

According to the minister, with the new regulation in effect, Thailand's compound rubber makers stand to lose their share in the Chinese market because their products contain a higher ratio of natural rubber than allowed in the new standard.

Pitipong asked the Chinese trade delegation to give Thai producers one year to install new machinery and train staff to accommodate the new standard, added the Pataya Mail report.