Sri Lanka Prepares Rubber Sector for EU Deforestation Rules 📈

Sri Lanka’s rubber industry is taking proactive steps to align with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to maintain access to key European markets, safeguard local livelihoods, and protect national export competitiveness. • Key Initiative: A technical workshop was held in Colombo—organized by the EU-funded Green Recovery Facility (GRF) and implemented by Expertise France—to address EUDR requirements, supply chain coordination, and traceability for local exporters. • Sector Breakdown: The regulation impacts natural rubber and derivative products, including tyres, rubber hoses, and conveyor belts. • Strategic Focus: European Commission and European Forest Institute (EFI) experts outlined compliance obligations, implementation steps, and findings from a 2025 assessment on Sri Lanka's industry readiness. • Institutional Collaboration: Key public and private stakeholders—including the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Rubber Development Department, Planters’ Association of Ceylon, and Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association—engaged directly with EU representatives to build practical systems for compliance. _Note: Specific export volume figures and % changes were not provided in the report._