EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY AND END-OF-LIFE MANAGEMENT -  Over the past number of years, RAC has taken a strong leadership role on working with provincial governments to establish product stewardship programs and other end-of-life management practices, specifically for scrap tires. Now all provincial governments are looking to other industry sectors to build similar waste diversion programs for used oil, waste electronics, paper, bottles, cans, and a host of other products.

Governments are looking to industry to take back, or to manage the wastes they create. This is a major philosophical shift to Extended Producer Responsibility, which compels the manufacturer to absorb the environmental costs of their products, thus shifting these costs from the taxpayer to the ultimate consumer.    

For the rubber industry, it would be folly to believe that only tires will be captured by this new wave of thinking. Responsible rubber manufacturers must address this important issue by looking at their manufacturing processes and their finished products in anticipation of this new situation. RAC has developed an extensive list of contacts within the rubber recycling community and government circles to help members wade through this pending reality.

INFORMATION NETWORK  -  One of the core competencies of RAC is our extensive network of contacts and affiliations within government and industry, both domestic and international. This means we can usually put you in touch with the person or organization that can best help answer your questions, saving you time and energy.  The Association’s biennial Executive Seminar for example provides a great arena for networking in the rubber industry. Visit our Industry Links page where we list a few of our key relationships.

CONSUMER EDUCATION ON THE USE OF OUR MEMBERS’ PRODUCTS  -  For instance, the RAC educates Canadian motorists on the importance of proper tire maintenance through its Be Tire Smart - Play Your P.A.R.T. Campaign.  This program, funded by the tire manufacturing members of the RAC, in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, informs drivers of the benefits of proper tire care such as improved fuel efficiency, less greenhouse gas emissions, better performance, increased safety and longer tire service life.  

TECHNICAL SUPPORT, STANDARDS & WORKING COMMITTEES  -  The Rubber Association of Canada provides leadership to its members through a number of working committees. Through this structure, members can discuss issues affecting a cross section of industry, can work together to share ideas, identify problems and develop industry solutions that would not be otherwise possible. Committees also often work with government agencies in areas of regulatory reform, compliance strategies, and member education.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY & GOVERNMENT BODIES  -  The Rubber Association has long served the industry in liaison with various governmental/regulatory bodies.  Our role is one of speaking to the government with a single voice of the industry on matters of regulatory compliance, new regulations and other matters where a broader approach may be beneficial.

In Ontario, the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) has evolved over the past decade.   The formation of a Safety Group improved the safety performance of RAC members and generated over one million of premium rebate dollars.  In the environmental area, when the Ministry of Environment targeted the rubber industry, the RAC met with government to get first hand information in support of the industry, and later, held workshops for members to aid in attaining and maintaining compliance. 

In Québec, our members benefit from our relationship with the Centre Patronal de Santé et Sécurité du Travail au Québec by attending classes on accident prevention, risks in the workplace, CSST Forms, etc.  All these classes are offered at reduced rates to our members. 

At the federal level, the RAC is working on the industry’s behalf on the implementation of Environment Canada’s “Chemicals Management Plan”.  Through the RAC, there is coordination of communication on the “risk assessment” of chemicals most affecting our industry and the development of “risk management instruments”.

The RAC works with Industry Canada and the Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade (DFAIT) on import and export related matters to safeguard the interests of domestic producers through proposed tariff reductions on manufacturing inputs and encouraging open markets for our members’ products.