GPSNR Assurance System – Assessment Service Provider Application

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JANUARY 2026 

ISSUED BY 
Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber 

Introduction & Background 
The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) is an international, multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership initiative seeking to lead improvements in the socioeconomic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Members of the platform include tire manufacturers, rubber suppliers and processors, vehicle makers and NGOs. Representatives from each of these stakeholder groups have contributed to the development of the Singapore-based platform and the wide-reaching set of priorities that will define strategy and objectives 

The GPSNR Assurance System, designed by Assurance Services International (ASI) and for GPSNR members, is a risk-based framework that supports credible and independent assurance processes. It enables companies to identify and mitigate human rights and environmental risks within their supply chains, undergo third-party verification, and report transparently on their progress through credible claims. The details of which can be found at this link. 

The Engagement 
The GPSNR Secretariat is seeking qualified organizations and individual professionals to become GPSNR Assessment Service Providers (ASPs). Approved ASPs will conduct impartial and independent third-party assessments in accordance with GPSNR’s procedures and requirements. 

Selected ASPs will be responsible for delivering independent assurance assessments for GPSNR member companies, following GPSNR’s approved Assurance System methodologies and procedures. The engagement includes participation in GPSNR training and oversight processes, adherence to the GPSNR Assurance Service Provider Agreement, and maintenance of competence and impartiality throughout the duration of approval. 

Training for pre-approved ASPs is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026, with assessments scheduled to begin thereafter upon completion of training and formal approval. 

GPSNR welcomes applications from qualified organizations or individuals who:

• Are legally registered and in good standing; 
• Have demonstrable experience in sustainability assurance, auditing, or related compliance assessments; 
• Can maintain independence, integrity, and confidentiality in delivering assessment services; and 
• Are willing to undergo GPSNR’s approval and oversight process. 

Applicants may include individual contractors, small-sized ASPs (with 5 or fewer full-time equivalent personnel), or large-sized ASPs (with more than 5 full-time equivalent personnel). 

Submission Guidelines & Requirements
The following submission guidelines & requirements apply: 

  1. Applications will be considered only from individuals or organizations with experience relevant to this project.

  2. All applicants (individuals or organisations) are required to list the individual(s) applying to be approved as an Assessment Service Provider.

  3. Applicants must provide evidence of previous relevant work or experience, along with any other required supporting documents.

  4. Applicants must confirm that they have read and agree to the GPSNR ASP Agreement Terms and Conditions.

  5. Applications must be signed by an authorized representative.

  6. Applications will only be considered upon receipt of the non-refundable application fee. An invoice will be issued and must be paid within 30 days of issuance. Further details are provided in the fee schedule.

  7. More detailed guidance and supporting information about GPSNR procedures, assessment methodology, and training will be provided to applicants who successfully pass the pre-approval stage of the application process.

  8. Applications must be received prior to the 27th of February 2026 to be considered. Applications should be submitted to natalie.low@gpsnr.org for consideration.  

Project Timelines 

Submission of application and supporting documents to natalie.low@gpsnr.org 

February 27, 2026 

Selection and desk review of pre-approved applications 

Commencing upon receipt of applications and continuing through early March 2026 

Training of pre-approved ASP applicants 

March 2026 

Final approval of ASPs and publication 

March 31, 2026 

Start of GPSNR member selection and contract signing with approved ASPs 

April 2026 


Evaluation Factors 

GPSNR will evaluate applicants based on the following factors: 

  1. Responsiveness to the requirements set forth

  2. Relevant past performance/ experience

  3. Provision of relevant documents

  4. Technical expertise/experience  

Download ASP application form here: 

Download ASP agreement terms and conditions here: 

Download Assurance assessment workflow here: 

More To Explore
News

GPSNR Working Groups Update: February 2021

Strategy and Objectives Working Group

Further to the receipt of several submissions in response to the Environmental Risk Study request for Proposals, the Strategy and Objectives Working Group has now  selected the Proforest team, together with consultant Liza Murphy, to conduct the environmental risk study. The team will be reaching out to GPSNR members to have initial scoping conversations in support of the study.

The Equity Sub-Working Group has drafted a summary for the Living Income studies undertaken in Thailand and Indonesia next year. Pending approval from the Sub-Working Group and S&O Working Group Members, the summary will be released to all GPSNR members and a webinar will be held to present the responses.

Representatives from each of the platform’s other Working Groups have started to draft their Working Group’s Theory of Change. At the end of the month, the Strategy and Objectives Working Group will consolidate this information and develop a platform-wide Theory of Change.

‘Policy Toolbox’ Working Group

The Policy Toolbox Working group has received initial proposals for the development of Implementation Guidance request for proposals (RFP) and will be meeting to discuss and select a proposal.

The Working Group will be setting up focus groups for category members to participate in the development of the implementation guidance. The call to join will be in the newsletter and also in the other article to be published.

In the next weeks, the Working Group will also be developing a new RFP for a consultant to help refine the reporting requirements based on the BRR pilot done last year. The consultant will work to bring the questions into alignment with other reporting systems (e.g. CDP and Ecovadis) and ensure that the questions are phrased in a suitable manner.

‘Capacity Building’ Working Group

The Capacity Building Working Group conducted a webinar to share about the national CB strategies and recruit members to the national sub-groups.

‘Traceability and Transparency’ Working Group

The ‘Traceability and Transparency’ Working Group has now set up 3 sub-groups that will focus on different tasks: refining the WG theory of change, developing a definition of traceability and minimum acceptable levels of traceability, and developing a data collection process with Policy Toolbox Working Group members.

Smallholder Representation Working Group

The Smallholder Representation Working Group has completed logistical organization of the Smallholders caucus call, that will happen tomorrow, 25th February. The caucus call will allow sharing and collaboration among smallholders across national lines.

GPSNR Staff February 23, 2021
Members

Seeing Through to a Solution: Traceability and Transparency Tools and Technology Studies (Members Version)

Deforestation, land grabbing, and human and labour rights violations have been associated with the production of natural rubber. In order to transform the global natural rubber supply chain into a fair, equitable and environmentally sound one, it is crucial that we work to reduce such social and environmental risks. This is by no means an easy feat with about 6 million smallholder farmers producing around 85% of the world’s natural rubber; the complexities of the supply chain make it difficult for buyers to ensure that sustainable practices are employed for rubber cultivation and processing. Recognizing the importance of enhancing traceability and transparency in the natural rubber supply chain to support the identification and mitigation of social and environmental risks, GPSNR established the Traceability and Transparency Working Group.

Over the past few months, the Working Group has commissioned two studies around traceability and transparency tools and technology. The reports were submitted by the consultants at the end of October 2020. The findings from each report are summarized below.

Spatial Data & Mapping Tools for Detecting Deforestation and Threats to HCVS Areas in Rubber Production Landscapes

Report developed by Zoological Society of London (ZSL)

This report reviews a variety of spatial mapping tools and approaches which may be employed by GPSNR and its members to address deforestation and degradation risk in rubber supply chains.

The key recommendations from this study are that GPSNR members should pool resources to collectively commission landscape-level HCV and HCS screening for key rubber-producing countries and these should be updated periodically. Spatial data maps from this process should be made publicly available to encourage cross-sectoral collaboration on tackling deforestation.

HCV/S datasets may then be integrated into satellite monitoring platforms and combined with near-real time monitoring of deforestation and forest degradation. This will allow accurate spatial analysis of the impacts of rubber production in key forested landscapes. GPSNR members may select different satellite monitoring tools or service providers, based on their own needs and budget. For upstream actors closer to the source, satellite monitoring may allow for preventative measures to be taken at the early stages of deforestation.

The full Executive Summary can be viewed here.

GPSNR members can read the entire report here.

Review of Transparency & Traceability Tools and Solutions

Report prepared by e-Audit Hong-Kong Ltd

This report presents options on supply chain transparency and/ or product traceability solutions that GPSNR may consider as well as recommendations to select the most suitable transparency/traceability solutions for the GPSNR initiative.

A range of solutions currently implemented in commodity industries similar to the natural rubber industry were reviewed and evaluated, resulting in the identification of several key elements that will need to be considered to select the most suitable and cost-efficient solution.

The report also considers three potential infrastructure options (centralized, hybrid and decentralized) that should be considered as they have profound implications on the range of supply chain transparency and product/batch traceability solution(s) that GPSNR may consider to adopt.

This report concludes that the technology currently available makes it possible for all GPSNR key requirements to be integrated into one single solution. However, such a centralized solution may be costly and cumbersome to implement. At this stage of development of the GPSNR initiative it is recommended that GPSNR starts implementing a more flexible hybrid solution, with a centralized infrastructure/ data hub focused on reporting and monitoring of clearly defined performance KPIs, that can be connected through APIs to existing field level risk assessment, risk mapping and traceability solutions currently implemented by GPSNR members.

The full Executive Summary can be viewed here.

GPSNR members can read the entire report here.

GPSNR Staff January 27, 2021
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