International Rubber Study Group

The International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) was founded in 1944. It is an intergovernmental organization recognised as an interna­tional body located in London, formally established by a Headquarters Agreement with the Government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.

The Study Group provides a forum for the discussion of matters af­fecting the supply and demand for both synthetic and natural rubber. It covers all aspects of the world rubber industry, including marketing, ship­ping distribution, trade in raw materials and the manufacture and sale of rubber products.

The Study Group is the authoritative source of statistical data sup­plied by Member Governments and other countries and organizations on production, consumption and trade in rubber and rubber products. It prepares current estimates and forecasts future trends, and undertakes and publishes statistical, economic and techno-economic studies on spe­cific aspects of the industry.

Membership is confined to Governments. Currently 16 countries are contributing members: Belgium, Republic of Cameroon, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Russian Fed­eration, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States of America. Collectively, they account for 56% of all rub­ber consumption, 74% of world natural rubber production and 69% of world synthetic rubber production.

The Group is served by a small Secretariat, with the Secretary-General, who is responsible to the Executive Committee and the Group, as its Executive Head. The Group's activities are financed mainly by con­tributions from Member Governments according to their relative annual production or consumption of new rubber.

The Study Group meets annually for five days, including a two-day International Rubber Forum. Since 1944 there have been 38 Assemblies in 20 countries. When no Assembly is held, a Group Meeting takes place.

The Rubber Statistical Bulletin and Rubber Industry Report are published monthly and distributed free to Member Governments as well as made available to several hundred subscribers world-wide. The Pro­ceedings of the annual International Rubber Forum are also published. Other statistical, economic and techno-economic studies are published regularly.

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The Industry Advisory Panel (IAP) was established in 1983 to ad­vise the Study Group on subjects for study and to assist the Secretariat in carrying out its work programme. Its members represent all aspects of the world elastomer industry.

Established in 1990, the Panel of Associates is open to any organi­zation involved in the rubber industry. It provides greater interaction be­tween industry and the Secretariat with benefits to both sides. Payment of the annual fee provides Panel Members with all Group publications free of charge, together with access to the Group's extensive database.

Дата добавления: 2015-07-02