18 October 2024
Michelin and the European regulation on deforestation-free products
The European regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR) aims to reduce the consumption of products from supply chains associated with deforestation or forest degradation, and to increase demand for and trade in deforestation-free raw materials and legal products in the European Union.
As one of the world's leading buyers of natural rubber and a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), the Group made an early commitment to rubber farming that respects the environment and benefits everyone.
Michelin supports a fair and eco-responsible industry; it was the first tire manufacturer to adopt a commitment to zero-deforestation in 2015, as part of its sustainable natural rubber policy. Since then, the Group has sourced only natural rubber that has not been deforested. Through this regulation, and by ensuring traceability, it provides tangible proof of the non-deforested nature of its rubber.
Today, the Group deplores the late announcement - less than 3 months before the implementation of this regulation - of a possible postponement of 12 months and a certain form of improvisation in the implementation of such a heavy regulation.
True to the company’s leadership in terms of sustainability, Michelin reaffirms that it is in favor of any actions and regulations for a sustainable natural rubber industry. It considers the EU regulation on deforestation-free products to be a real turning point in the global fight against deforestation.
*EUDR-compliant natural rubber must be:
- deforestation-free, i.e. produced on plots of land that have not been subject to deforestation after December 31, 2020,
- produced in accordance with the legislation of the country of production as soon as the regulation is applicable,
- covered by a due diligence statement.
