The following is a quick look at the latest or major pending policies for the tire industry this year.
ACCESS THRESHOLD FOR TIRE INDUSTRY
The access rules for the domestic tire industry drafted by the China Rubber Industry Association are expected to be published soon.
Observers say the new rules will help curb the current overheated investment spree in the sector and promote industrial upgrades and enhance the overall competitiveness in China’s tire making.
While the pending rules are mostly welcome by large firms, small and medium-size tire producers, however, have their complaints. Some argue that the rules are not feasible and disagree with the practical situation of the domestic tire industry.
Analysts note that tire manufacturing is a labor-intensive industry and is often regarded as one of the pillar industries in several localities in China. Higher access threshold will surely bring higher pressure for small and medium enterprises.
GREEN TIRE TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS
The green tire technical standards are a self-discipline code of conduct in the domestic tire industry. The China Rubber Industry Association has completed the collection of public opinions of the draft. The finalized version of the standards is scheduled to be officially released in the first quarter of 2014.
Several experts told Tireworld that the new regulation will have positive effects on all market players in areas including energy saving, environmental protection, and clean production.
MEASURES ON ENTERPRISE ENVIRONMENT CREDIT ASSESSMENT
The Chinese government will use "environmental credits" to gauge companies' pollution control efforts and influence the treatment they get in various social aspects.
According to a trial guideline on corporate environmental credit evaluation, companies' performance in following environment-related rules and fulfilling their duties in environmental protection will be rated and the results released as references for public supervision and decision-making by financial institutions when granting loans.
The document was jointly released by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Bank of China and the China Banking Regulatory Commission on January 2, 2014.
Analysts say the move will exert direct impact on the tire manufacturing sector as the industry has long been a heavy-polluting one among other sectors. By giving credits to enterprises based on their performance on environmental protection, authorities also brought enterprises under the spotlight of public scrutiny, analysts say.
(Edited by Olivia, olivia@tireworld.com.cn)
