AKRON—Goodyear has rolled out a new natural rubber procurement policy that it said will help address problems with deforestation, land grabbing and abridgment of human rights in countries where NR is grown.
"We know our actions can make a difference in protecting the rights of people throughout the supply chain, including the smallholders who grow natural rubber on their own land," said Maureen Thune, Goodyear vice president and chief procurement officer, in an April 23 press release.
The new policy builds on Goodyear's Business Conduct Manual and Supplier Code of Conduct, the company said. It introduces seven principles designed to guide the development of a long-term, sustainable NR supply chain. These include:
- Working to ensure the supply chain protects the rights of all involved;
- Promoting an environmentally and socially responsible natural rubber supply chain free from deforestation and land grabbing;
- Promoting practices that lead to the traceability of natural rubber throughout the supply chain;
- Urging rubber processors to act in a responsible, environmentally friendly manner;
- Encouraging suppliers to use the best cultivation practices;
- Working to increase yields and improve the livelihoods of existing smallholders; and
- Commitment to the corruption-free and transparent implementations of this policy and its principles.
Goodyear is a member of the Tire Industry Project (TIP), a CEO-led initiative made up of the 11 major tire companies of the world, according to the company.
TIP works actively with key stakeholders, including auto makers, rubber producers and civil society, to develop an industry platform for natural rubber sustainability, it said.