Hankook Tire announced its social responsibility policy to address the natural rubber value chain.

This policy aims to secure economic, social and environmental sustainability of the supply chain of natural rubber. The company plans to help improve the overall quality of life of natural rubber growers, generally smallholders, and upgrade productivity and the quality of natural rubber.

The policy says that growers, dealers, processors and manufacturers must comply with laws and regulations of the countries they’re operating in and also be required to commit to social responsibility in a variety of fields i.e. human rights, environment and increase management transparency. Human rights guidelines include respect for employees’ free will for labour; compliance with the minimum employment age regulations and prohibit discrimination. Within the environmental sector, conservation of biodiversity, utilization of environmentally friendly water sources, optimization of energy usage, and prevention of resource depletion are regulated. From growers to manufacturers, efforts should also be made to enhance transparency of the complex natural rubber value chain.

Hankook Tire will conduct a biennial CSR assessment of its partners to evaluate compliance with the policy. Together, great efforts will be made to minimize social and environmental impacts caused by non-compliance.