The European Union's (EU) decision to ensure environmental and human rights standards in rubber production poses a challenge for rubber producing companies, including India. From 2025 onwards, a certificate from an authorized agency stating that tyres and other products have been made from sheets or latex harvested in compliance with the standard will be made mandatory. If this certificate is not present, the product will be banned.

The EU has directed the Indian tyre companies to follow the guidelines. India exports rubber products worth Rs. 46,000 crore annually, of which Rs. 10,000-12,000 crore goes to the EU. 80 percent of this income is for Kerala.

The extension will be available till December 2024. The government has commissioned the Indian Institute of Plantation Management and Federation of Indian Exporters Organization to prepare the guidelines.

Their reports will be compiled and guidelines formulated. The agency should be appointed to prepare a certificate/code showing that the product conforms to the standard. This task may be given to the Rubber board itself. The Rubber board has reached an agreement with the state digital university for this.

Since 1950, rubber cultivation has been going on in Kerala under the supervision of the board. The board has full details of land and the individuals involved in rubber cultivation. The state government has also collected land information. 95 percent of small farmers have title deeds (Pattayam). Rubber tappers are also registered and there is no child labour. The board considers these to be positive indicators for Kerala.