International Rubber Study Group (IRSG)

The IRSG provides a forum for the discussion of matters affecting the supply and demand of both synthetic and natural rubber. It covers all aspects of the world rubber industry, including marketing, shipping, distribution and 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 State Governments and other countries and organisations 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.

Since the demise of the International Natural Rubber Organisation in 2001, the IRSG is the only remaining global platform for the co-operation in the field of natural and synthetic rubber.

The European Community, which is represented by the European Commission, became a member of the IRSG in 2002. Five EU Member States, namely Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, are also members of the IRSG in their own right.

The aim of the European Community's membership is to contribute to the improvement of the competitive situation of the EU rubber producing and consuming industries, many of these being SMEs, and to strengthen the EU's internal cohesion and solidarity in relation to the IRSG activities and proceedings of the IRSG. In doing this the European Commission works closely together with the European tyre and rubber industry.

• Commission Recommendation for a Council Decision COM(2002)223 of 6 May 2002
• EU membership in the International Rubber Study Group: Council Decision 2002/651/EC of 22 July 2002 concerning the participation of the European Union in the International Rubber Study Group