PUBLIC CONSULTATION: GPSNR’s Assurance Model

In early June 2020, GPSNR member companies were invited to participate in pilot testing a set of draft Baseline Reporting Requirements developed by the Policy Toolbox and Implementation Guidance Working Group. Along with the newly approved Policy Components, the Baseline Reporting Requirements will constitute a key requirement for GPSNR membership. 

“By having robust reporting requirements and a system to transparently report on progress, GPSNR member companies will be able to demonstrate leadership, monitor and further the effective implementation of their sustainability commitments, and ultimately drive positive impacts in the natural rubber value chain,” explained Amy Smith, Policy Toolbox Working Group Co-Chair.

The Working Group proposed pilot testing the Baseline Reporting Requirements with a group of volunteer member companies to better understand any constraints companies may have in obtaining and sharing certain information. The goal of the pilot was to refine and finalize the Baseline Reporting Requirements based on company feedback.

“In addition to pilot testing with member volunteers, we will also be assessing and evaluating the potential of existing certification schemes and reporting systems to adopt as part of GPSNR reporting requirements,” added Policy Toolbox Working Group Co-Chair, Pierre Bois d’Enghien. “This evaluation, together with the feedback we received from the pilot, will help us build a reporting system that is credible and useful for all stakeholders.” 

We are pleased to announce that a total of 11 GPSNR members volunteered for the pilot test. These members, who include Continental AG, Ford Motor Company, Halcyon Agri Corporation Limited, Hevea-Tec Indústria e Comércio LTDA, Industrias de Exportacion Universal, S.A., ITOCHU Corporation, Michelin, SIPH, Socfin SA, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd, and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., represent all the membership categories to which the Baseline Reporting Requirements would apply. 

In mid-July, the reporting platform was opened to the pilot participants, who were given three weeks to submit the required data. Concurrently, the Secretariat conducted one-on-one interviews with the participants to gather feedback about their experience using the baseline reporting platform as well as their suggestions on ways to improve the process. 

“Our volunteer member companies were instrumental in helping to refine the Baseline Reporting Requirements and ensuring that the platform’s reporting mechanisms are relevant and meaningful for all our members,” said GPSNR Director Stefano Savi. “This improvement will help us achieve our shared objectives of ensuring a sustainable and equitable natural rubber supply chain.”

Following the approval of the policy requirements at the General Assembly in September, the Policy Toolbox Working Group will review the compiled company feedback from the pilot and the member consultation process conducted earlier this year, and will refine and finalize the Baseline Reporting Requirements for Executive Committee approval by the end of 2020. Once the Executive Committee has approved these requirements, ordinary company members will submit their baseline reporting data for 2020 to GPSNR in Q1 of 2021.

The Baseline Reporting Requirements will enable GPSNR to understand what its member companies currently know about their natural rubber supply chains, and what they are doing to move towards sustainable practices. Having a rigorous and transparent reporting process in place will strengthen the credibility of GPSNR and contribute to the development of a robust Assurance system for the platform.

Assurance Model Task Force: The Executive Committee (EC) has reviewed the Assurance Model documents and approved them to be submitted to the General Assembly for a vote. The EC has also identified several topics that will require further discussion and finalisation next year. These include minimum requirements, the mechanism for third-party oversight of assessor accreditation, the format and content of assessment result disclosures, the process for assigning third-party assessors, claims, refinements to the classification system for major non-conformities, and a risk-based approach to assessment scheduling. These topics will be presented for a vote at the 2025 General Assembly. For further context, here is the link to the compilation of feedback on the Assurance Model documents received since June, along with responses and changes made based on these comments: https://rubberplatform.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/GPSNRMembers/EWLmS86xDkxMtce9wKEuLjwByB6hU_QXrROu_XJ9DuK0kA?e=ZYYike

Additionally, the EC has agreed that the first three years of assessments (2027-2029) will be conducted annually, with mandatory public disclosure of a category-level summary of the assessments, while company-level disclosure will be optional for those being assessed.

Smallholders Representation and Capacity Building (SCB) Working Group: 18 members from Ghana were approved this month, with an onboarding call held on 10 October 2024. Additionally, the EC Election Campaign call for smallholders took place on 29 October 2024.

Koltiva submitted the final report for the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project (Phase 2) and delivered a final presentation on 17 October 2024. The third phase of the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project is now underway and is currently in the preparation stage. For the Thailand GAP Coaching Project, Koltiva presented the first full-year project results on 22 October 2024. Meanwhile, RAFs completed training for 1,000 farmers ahead of schedule in the Thailand Agroforestry Project. Furthermore, a curated content list and promotional poster for Rubber Wiki have been created to engage smallholders through the Knowledge Sharing Platform.

Looking ahead, a Pre-GA Webinar for smallholders is scheduled for 18 November 2024, and 10 new Cambodian smallholders have applied for membership and are awaiting approval.

For Capacity Building Projects, SCB WG members are requested to review and provide feedback on the final report for the Indonesia GAP Coaching Project (Phase 2) by 28 October 2024. Koltiva will also submit agricultural calendars and training materials for the third phase of this project for SCB WG review by the same date. For the Thailand GAP Coaching Project, Koltiva is revising the full-year review report based on feedback from SCB WG members. Additionally, the Project Management Subgroup will hold its kick-off meeting on 23 October 2024.

Shared Responsibility Working Group: The Shared Investment Panel (SIP) has officially been established following approval from the GPSNR Executive Committee.

The Secretariat is continuing to support the implementation of the Shared Investment Mechanism, with the Project Management Subgroup currently reviewing the proposals received. The SIP will select its co-chairs and plans to hold its kick-off meeting early next month.

Regarding the Value Transfer mechanism, the Executive Committee will form a task force with one representative from each ordinary member category. This task force will work on the next steps to finalise a revised proposal, with the aim to present it at the in-person meeting in February 2025.