Thailand asks China to delay new standards for imported compound rubber

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Pitipong Puengboon na Ayutthaya on Wednesday asked for China to consider delaying its enforcement of a new regulation on compound rubber products for one more year, to allow time for Thai producers to adjust their manufacturing process to meet the new standard.

Mr. Pitipong made the request during a meeting with the Chinese trade delegation in Thailand. The minister explained that China's new importation standard for compound rubber, which is slated to take effect on January 1, mandates that natural rubber shall not constitute more than 88% of compound rubber composition. Thailand's compound rubber makers stand to lose their share in the Chinese market because their products contain a higher ratio of natural rubber than allowed in the new standard.

Mr. Pitipong asked the Chinese trade delegation to give Thai producers one year to install new machinery and train staff to accommodate the new standard.