The initiation of a global platform to achieve a sustainable natural rubber value chain

GPSNR is committed to promoting the uptake of sustainable natural rubber globally by addressing forest and another ecosystem conversion, biodiversity loss, human and labor rights violations and inequality in the natural rubber supply chain.

In September 2020, GPSNR published a policy framework that outlines a series of policy components that company members are required – as part of their commitments as members – to include in their sustainable production and purchasing policies and other documents.

The policy components are spread across eight themes with commitments to:

1. Legal compliance;
2. Healthy, functioning ecosystems;
3. Respecting all human rights;
4. Community livelihoods;
5. Increased production efficiency; The supply chain is documented with a digital traceability system where the production areas are mapped by GPS. The app-based system documents raw rubber deliveries and sale prices upon delivery, which helps to prevent rubber from entering the supply chain from non-registered areas, such as illegally deforested areas, by indicating if the quantity received exceeds the expected production volume. In cases of significant oversupply, the app notifies field agents who proceed to clarify the gap between
6. Systems and processes to drive effective implementation of policy components;
7. Supply chain assessment, traceability, and management
8. Monitoring and reporting on progress on, and conformance with policy components.

As part of membership requirements, members are required to adopt a policy or other documents that include the GPSNR policy components adapted to the particular context and supply chain position in 2021. The components are aligned with the principles and guidelines laid out in the UN Global Compact, the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, the International Bill on

Human Rights, and the International Labour Organization Fundamental Conventions.

Securing smallholder representation was a platform priority. A series of outreach activities, including workshops in Asia, Latin America and West Africa, culminated in the creation of a GPSNR membership category for smallholder producers, with over 40 members and three representatives at executive committee-level, providing smallholders with equal representation and a role in platform decision-making. Smallholders and small natural rubber growers (i.e., natural rubber plantations of no more than 50 hectares) and small trader members are not required to develop and implement a formal policy, although they are required to adhere to buyers’ policies, and if they are members, they are required to sign the GPSNR Founding Members statement that includes the 12 GPSNR principles.

More information on GPSNR, the policy components and implementation guidance can be found at https://sustainablenaturalrubber.org/