Nokian VP: EUDR requirements being introduced "too soon"

Oradea, Romania – Nokian Tyres has made huge efforts to increase sustainability across all of its operations, officials said at last week's opening of the group's ‘zero emissions’ tire factory in Oradea. (ERJ report)

But the company remains concerned by the soon-to-be-enforced European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will require the supply of natural rubber to be from certified sustainable plantations.

“EUDR is coming into force this December and it’s a law, so every company must follow it,” explained Teppo Huovila, vice president, quality and sustainability at the Finnish tire maker.

But the timeline, according to Huovila, is very tight for “all companies, including Nokian Tyres, its customers and the whole tire industry.”

There are still, added Nokian's sustainability chief, “many open questions” remaining with regards to the regulation.

“There was some information that the EU was supposed to provide final answers for in the spring but these questions seem to be very difficult even for the lawmakers,” he added.

Despite many industry groups, and even reportedly the US government, demanding the postponement of the regulation, Huovila saw no signs that the implementation would be delayed.

“In my opinion, the EUDR is do-able, but it is coming too soon,” the Nokian executive continued speaking at a press event during the opening of the Oradea factory.

The timeline, he explained, is “very short” as many companies still have to develop the IT infrastructures required to support compliance.

Developing new IT capabilities in two to three months is difficult, and such capabilities are important to ensure the reliability of the system, he added.