GPSNR targets 'accelerated path' to policy implementation

Following recent media reporting of internal debate about the pace-of-progress being made by the organisation, the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber has supplied the following statement:

Singapore -  2023 is set to be a year of transition from commitment to implementation for the GPSNR on four key fronts:

1. Finalisation of the GPSNR assurance model (see below)
2. Implementation of the shared responsibility mechanism which was approved during last year’s ‘general assembly’. Manufacturers are currently working towards an agreement to share the cost of capacity building through a shared investment mechanism
3. Expansion of existing capacity building work on ‘good agricultural practices’, agroforestry and disease fighting in Thailand, Indonesia and Cote D’Ivoire
4. Fine-tuning of some important decisions that have already been taken and will support a smoother implementation of the EUDR [EU deforestation regulation], like a shared due diligence system, a joint deforestation analysis tool and a common traceability tool funded by manufacturers

At GPSNR, we are proud to be in a position where our work has brought together over 55% of the world’s natural rubber demand in an effort to build consensus on sustainability and equity.

Publicly raised questions from the media and civil society – referred to in the recent opinion pieces published by Reuters and [other media] – can further help us drive faster, stronger internal consensus to transform our supply-chain.

Further, our members are meeting in Singapore in June to further the agreements on the above four points.

These in-person meetings will also accelerate the path to implementation, and we look forward to continued, successful collaborations with the industry.