GPSNR Assurance System – Assessment Service Provider Application

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JANUARY 2026

ISSUED BY
Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber

Introduction & Background
The Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR) is an international, multi-stakeholder, voluntary membership initiative seeking to lead improvements in the socioeconomic and environmental performance of the natural rubber value chain. Members of the platform include tire manufacturers, rubber suppliers and processors, vehicle makers and NGOs. Representatives from each of these stakeholder groups have contributed to the development of the Singapore-based platform and the wide-reaching set of priorities that will define strategy and objectives

The GPSNR Assurance System, designed by Assurance Services International (ASI) and for GPSNR members, is a risk-based framework that supports credible and independent assurance processes. It enables companies to identify and mitigate human rights and environmental risks within their supply chains, undergo third-party verification, and report transparently on their progress through credible claims. The details of which can be found at this link.

The Engagement
The GPSNR Secretariat is seeking qualified organizations and individual professionals to become GPSNR Assessment Service Providers (ASPs). Approved ASPs will conduct impartial and independent third-party assessments in accordance with GPSNR’s procedures and requirements.

Selected ASPs will be responsible for delivering independent assurance assessments for GPSNR member companies, following GPSNR’s approved Assurance System methodologies and procedures. The engagement includes participation in GPSNR training and oversight processes, adherence to the GPSNR Assurance Service Provider Agreement, and maintenance of competence and impartiality throughout the duration of approval.

Training for pre-approved ASPs is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026, with assessments scheduled to begin thereafter upon completion of training and formal approval.

GPSNR welcomes applications from qualified organizations or individuals who:

• Are legally registered and in good standing;
• Have demonstrable experience in sustainability assurance, auditing, or related compliance assessments;
• Can maintain independence, integrity, and confidentiality in delivering assessment services; and
• Are willing to undergo GPSNR’s approval and oversight process.

Applicants may include individual contractors, small-sized ASPs (with 5 or fewer full-time equivalent personnel), or large-sized ASPs (with more than 5 full-time equivalent personnel).

Submission Guidelines & Requirements
The following submission guidelines & requirements apply:

Applications will be considered only from individuals or organizations with experience relevant to this project.
All applicants (individuals or organisations) are required to list the individual(s) applying to be approved as an Assessment Service Provider.
Applicants must provide evidence of previous relevant work or experience, along with any other required supporting documents.
Applicants must confirm that they have read and agree to the GPSNR ASP Agreement Terms and Conditions.
Applications must be signed by an authorized representative.
Applications will only be considered upon receipt of the non-refundable application fee. An invoice will be issued and must be paid within 30 days of issuance. Further details are provided in the fee schedule.
More detailed guidance and supporting information about GPSNR procedures, assessment methodology, and training will be provided to applicants who successfully pass the pre-approval stage of the application process.
Applications must be received prior to the 27th of February 2026 to be considered. Applications should be submitted to natalie.low@gpsnr.org for consideration.

Project Timelines

Submission of application and supporting documents to natalie.low@gpsnr.org	February 27, 2026
Selection and desk review of pre-approved applications	Commencing upon receipt of applications and continuing through early March 2026
Training of pre-approved ASP applicants	March 2026
Final approval of ASPs and publication	March 31, 2026
Start of GPSNR member selection and contract signing with approved ASPs	April 2026

Evaluation Factors

GPSNR will evaluate applicants based on the following factors:

Responsiveness to the requirements set forth
Relevant past performance/ experience
Provision of relevant documents
Technical expertise/experience

Download ASP application form here:

Download ASP agreement terms and conditions here:

Download Assurance assessment workflow here:

January 5, 2026

More To Explore

Members

From Strategy to Implementation: Next Steps for Capacity Building (Members Version)

One of the key strategies identified by GPSNR to achieve our vision of a fair, equitable and environmentally sound natural rubber value chain is to ensure that there is capacity amongst smallholders and industrial plantations to adopt best practices in natural rubber production.

In 2020, the Capacity Building Working Group, through various stakeholder interviews and Working Group discussions, proposed a set of country-specific capacity building activities for four countries as a start: Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand. In developing these strategies, the Working Group sought to first identify threats to the sustainable production of natural rubber within the different local contexts, as well as the underlying causes for these threats. From this initial research, the working group developed proposed capacity building actions, along with main objectives and rationales for each chosen action. The approach adopted by the Working Group in designing these actions is to allow for immediate engagement and implementation on the ground.

Following the Executive Committee’s endorsement of the Working Group’s capacity building proposals, the Working Group will be conducting a sharing session for all GPSNR members, during which more details about each national capacity building strategy will be presented.

Recruiting Members to Capacity Building National Sub-Groups

Now that the capacity building strategies are in place, the Working Group is inviting interested GPSNR members to join the soon-to-be-created National Sub-Groups that will be mandated to oversee, guide and implement the national capacity building strategies and to promote GPSNR policies and initiatives.

The development of the National Sub-Groups recognizes existing local capacity building initiatives in the rubber sector and their independence of GPSNR and aims to cooperate with local efforts and stakeholders to achieve mutually agreed outcomes.

To learn more about the Working Group’s strategies and about how to participate in their operationalization, please register for the webinar which will be held on Wednesday, 17 February at 8:00pm (GMT+8).

Click here to register for the webinar.

GPSNR Staff January 27, 2021

Members

GPSNR Working Groups Update: February 2021 (Members Version)

GPSNR Members Webinar | 3 March 2021, 8:00PM (GMT+8)
Join the Chairs and Co-Chairs of the Executive Committee and Working Groups as they share more on their current projects and upcoming highlights. Members will be able to pose queries to the panelists during the live Q&A session.

Strategy and Objectives Working Group

Further to the receipt of several submissions in response to the Environmental Risk Study request for Proposals, the Strategy and Objectives Working Group has now selected the Proforest team, together with consultant Liza Murphy, to conduct the environmental risk study. The team will be reaching out to GPSNR members to have initial scoping conversations in support of the study.

The Equity Sub-Working Group has drafted a summary for the Living Income studies undertaken in Thailand and Indonesia next year. Pending approval from the Sub-Working Group and S&O Working Group Members, the summary will be released to all GPSNR members and a webinar will be held to present the responses.

Representatives from each of the platform’s other Working Groups have started to draft their Working Group’s Theory of Change. At the end of the month, the Strategy and Objectives Working Group will consolidate this information and develop a platform-wide Theory of Change.

‘Policy Toolbox’ Working Group

The Policy Toolbox Working group has received initial proposals for the development of Implementation Guidance request for proposals (RFP) and will be meeting to discuss and select a proposal.

The Working Group will be setting up focus groups for category members to participate in the development of the implementation guidance. The call to join will be in the newsletter and also in the other article to be published.

In the next weeks, the Working Group will also be developing a new RFP for a consultant to help refine the reporting requirements based on the BRR pilot done last year. The consultant will work to bring the questions into alignment with other reporting systems (e.g. CDP and Ecovadis) and ensure that the questions are phrased in a suitable manner.

‘Capacity Building’ Working Group

The Capacity Building Working Group conducted a webinar to share about the national CB strategies and recruit members to the national sub-groups. (Click here to view recording and slide deck)

‘Traceability and Transparency’ Working Group

The ‘Traceability and Transparency’ Working Group has now set up 3 sub-groups that will focus on different tasks: refining the WG theory of change, developing a definition of traceability and minimum acceptable levels of traceability, and developing a data collection process with Policy Toolbox Working Group members.

Smallholder Representation Working Group

The Smallholder Representation Working Group has completed logistical organization of the Smallholders caucus call, that will happen tomorrow, 25th February. The caucus call will allow sharing and collaboration among smallholders across national lines.

View the February 2021 Working Groups Update Slide Deck for more details on the progress of each Working Group

GPSNR Staff February 23, 2021