The IRSG was founded in 1944 to provide a forum for the discussion of matters affecting the supply of and demand for natural rubber; it covers all aspects of the world rubber industry, including the manufacture of products, trade in raw materials and products, shipping, marketing and distribution. It collects and disseminates statistical data and undertakes economic and statistical studies on specific aspects. The Secretariat of this International Organization is in London. At its own Annual Meeting in Mexico, and at subsequent meetings of the International Natural Rubber Agreement's Council in December, and at meetings with the Managing Director of the Common Fund for Commodities it has been established that the IRSG will act as the International Commodity Body for natural rubber following the termination

Secretary-General: Dr A.J.S. Budiman

International Rubber Study Group
Heron House
109/115 Wembley Hill Road
WEMBLEY
HA9 8DA
United Kingdom
Fax: 44 181 903 2848
Tel: 44 181 903 7727
e-mail: irsg@compuserve.com
The IRSG has a Web site http://www.rubberstudy.com

Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC)

The ANRPC was founded in 1970 to promote the overall interests of natural rubber; membership is open to the governments of countries producing natural rubber. Its objectives are to bring about co-ordination in production and marketing, to promote technical co-operation among its member countries, and to bring about remunerative and stable prices for natural rubber. The ANRPC performs studies on the world rubber position, examines short- and long-term problems and promotes research and development. Its Secretariat is in Kuala Lumpur.

Secretary General:

Address:

ANRPC
7th Floor, Bangunan Getah Asli (Menara)
148 Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA
Fax: 60 3 261 3014

ISO: International Organization for Standardization

ISO has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, but many of its activities are conducted through specialist committees. ISO has a web site, but it does not appear to be possible to pass users of this page directly onto the relevant pages for the rubber technical committee (TC 45): the address of the ISI web site is: www.iso.ch.

Rubber-Stichting

The Rubber-Stichting Information Center for Natural Rubber is set up to support traders and manufacturers of natural rubber and to promote the (right) use of natural rubber. The web site is: www.rubber-stichting.ind.tno.nl

International Natural Rubber Organization (INRO)

INRO had been established in 1980 to operate the International Natural Rubber Agreement the main purpose of which is to stabilize the price of natural rubber by buying for and selling from a buffer stock. INRO's terms of reference also cover measures to improve the status of natural rubber by encouraging research and other activities. Its headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur. At a meeting in September 1999 the participating nations agreed to terminate the Agreement and to liquidate the buffer stock. This operation is now taking place.