GPSNR: 2023 'year of transition' with implementation of key goals

SINGAPORE—The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber says 2023 will be a "year of transition from commitment to implementation" following media reports of the organization's internal debate on pace-of-progress.

The GPSNR said it will focus on four key points:

1. The finalization of the GPSNR assurance model;
2. Implementation of the shared responsibility mechanism—approved during last year's general assembly—as manufacturers work toward 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; and
4. Fine-tuning of some important decisions that have already been taken and will support a smoother implementation of the European Union's 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 percent of the world's natural rubber demand in an effort to build consensus on sustainability and equity," the organization said.

GPSNR said "publicly raised questions" from media "can further help us drive faster, stronger internal consensus to transform our supply chain."

Members of GPSNR will meet in Singapore this June to further the agreements on the four points, it said, noting the in-person meetings will "accelerate the path to implementation."

European Rubber Journal contributed to this report.