European tire and rubber industry wants political vision, sustainable regulation - ETRMA

ERJ staff report (BC)

Brussels – “The European tire and rubber Industry has a strong manufacturing presence in Europe and needs a sustainable regulatory framework, well coordinated among different policy areas, to remain competitive despite this long economic crisis.” So said Patrick Lepercq, president of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA) at the association’s board meeting on 8 October.

2013 was “a year of transition” for the industry, said Lepercq, which is adjusting to a new and “very ambitious” regulatory framework.

At the same time the industry faces increased global competition and the aftershocks of the economic crisis in Europe.

ETRMA’s members stressed the importance of the association’s support for them in implementing legislation affecting the rubber industry supply chain, such as REACH.

The board agreed that fair and unrestricted access to raw materials is essential to a level playing field for the European industry, so welcomed work in the context of the European Innovation Partnership on Raw Materials.

Effective surveillance of the complex regulatory framework by the relevant authorities was emphasised as essential to competitiveness.

It was noted that existing resources could be exploited more efficiently by establishing EU-harmonised end-of-waste criteria for tire casings suitable for retreading, and for materials derived from end-of-life tires.

ETRMA’s board of directors convenes twice a year to take stock of the work done during the year and to set medium- to long-term priorities for the association.