Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG)

Natural rubber assessment

Total score: 42.7%

Latest update: March 2025
Next scheduled: March 2026

Modify score weighting

Landbank

373,182 hectares
Market cap:

5,174,847,106 USD
Bloomberg ticker:

GVR VN Equity

Website:

https://vnrubbergroup.com/
Latest annual report (2023) | Sustainability report (2023)

Substantiated concerns
- In 2015, the FSC Board of Directors took the decision to disassociate from Vietnam Rubber Group after investigation upheld the the Company had engaged in deforestation, Destruction of HCVs Human/Traditional rights violations, Illegal logging/timber trade and Workers' rights violations. See further details and updates here.

Media Monitor
- ZSL's SPOTT team monitors international media for news on assessed companies, collecting articles about pertinent activities. They don't confirm the accuracy of the media coverage, but it can be leveraged by SPOTT users to gain insights into a company's operations and possible risks. To access this company's media reports, scroll down or click here.

Assessment date:

Expand all categories

Score by disclosure type:

Total: 42.7% 48.25 / 113

Organisation: 11 / 26 42.3%
Policy: 27 / 47 57.5%
Practice: 10.3 / 40 25.6%
Self-reported: 8.5 / 40 21.3%
External: 0 / 40 0%

Sustainability policy and leadership

5.5 / 10 55%
Organisation: 3.5 / 5 70%

Policy: 1 / 2 50%

Practice: 1 / 3 33.3%

Self-reported: 1 / 3 33.3%

External: 0 / 3 0%
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  1. Sustainable natural rubber policy or commitment for all its operations?
- 0 / 1
  
  2. Sustainability natural rubber policy or commitment applies to all sourcing excluding smallholders?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  3. High-level position of responsibility for sustainability?
  
  Steering Committee for Sustainable Development which includes both senior managers and Board of Director members.
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  4. One or more members within the board of the company have responsibility for sustainability?
  
  Steering Committee for Sustainable Development which includes both senior managers and Board of Director members.
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  5. Percentage or number of women board members?
  
  0 - The company does not explicitly report the number of women board members.
- 0 / 1
  
  6. Percentage or number of women in senior management team?
  
  0 - The company does not explicitly report the number of women in senior management and the information provided is undated.
- 0 / 1
  
  7. Member of multiple industry schemes or other external initiatives to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with natural rubber production?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  8. Collaboration with stakeholders to reduce negative environmental or social outcomes associated with natural rubber production?
  
  The company cooperates with Oxfam and WWF on guidelines to sustainable natural rubber production and mitigating socio-economic impacts.
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  9. Sustainability report published within last two years?
  
  2018
- 0 / 1
  
  10. Climate risks assessment available?
Landbank, maps and traceability

5.5 / 10 55%
1 media report
Organisation: 5.5 / 9 61.1%

Policy: 0 / 1 0%

Practice: 0 / 0 0%

Self-reported: 0 / 0 0%

External: 0 / 0 0%
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  11. Lists countries and operations?
  
  Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos (plantations, processing and trading).
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  12. Total land area managed/controlled for natural rubber (ha)?
  
  407977
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  13. Total natural rubber planted area (ha)?
  
  390890
- 14. Scheme smallholders/outgrowers planted area (ha)?
  
  This indicator is disabled as the company has informed ZSL that it does not source from scheme smallholders/outgrowers.
- 0 / 1
  
  15. Unplanted (areas designated for future planting) (ha)?
- 0 / 1
  
  16. Conservation set-aside area, including HCV area (ha)?
  
  The company has a plan to set aside and regenerate 20,000 ha of forests however it is unclear how much has already been established.
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  17. Maps of estates/management units?
  
  Maps of concessions are available only for the company's Cambodian operations.
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  18. Number of company owned natural rubber processing facilities?
  
  49
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  19. Names and coordinates of company owned natural rubber processing facilities?
  
  The company provides names and addresses of all of its members with processing facilities.
- 0 / 1
  
  Source
  
  20. Management plans for natural rubber production are available for all estates/management units?
- 0 / 1
  
  Source
  
  21. Commitment to traceability of the whole supply chain?
  
  The company only has a traceability commitment in relation to rubberwood but not for natural rubber. Additionally, some of the company's subsidiaries implemented traceability measures to processing facilities level.
Deforestation and biodiversity

4 / 10 40%
3 media reports
Organisation: 0 / 1 0%

Policy: 4 / 5 80%

Practice: 0 / 4 0%

Self-reported: 0 / 4 0%

External: 0 / 4 0%
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  22. Commitment to zero deforestation or zero conversion of natural ecosystems?
- 0 / 1
  
  23. Commitment to zero deforestation or zero conversion of natural ecosystems applies to all sourcing excluding smallholders?
- 0 / 1
  
  Source
  
  24. Evidence of monitoring deforestation?
- 0 / 1
  
  25. Amount of illegal/non-complaint deforestation recorded in own operations?
- 0 / 1
  
  26. Implementing a landscape or juridictional level approach?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  27. Commitment to biodiversity conservation?
- 0 / 1
  
  28. Identified species of conservation concern, referencing international or national system of species classification?
- 0 / 1
  
  29. Examples of species and/or habitat conservation management?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  30. Commitment to protect areas from illegal activities?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  31. Commitment not to use genetically modified organisms?
  
  The company has a commitment to the FSC Policy for Association which includes GMOs.
HCV, HCS and impact assessments

3 / 6 50%
1 media report
Organisation: 0 / 0 0%

Policy: 2 / 3 66.7%

Practice: 1 / 3 33.3%

Self-reported: 0 / 3 0%

External: 0 / 3 0%
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  32. Commitment to conduct High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments?
- 0 / 1
  
  33. High Conservation Value (HCV) assessments available?
- 0 / 1
  
  34. High Conservation Value (HCV) management and monitoring plans available?
- 0 / 1
  
  35. Commitment to the High Carbon Stock (HCS) approach?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  36. Commitment to conduct social and environmental impact assessments (SEIAs)?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  37. Social and environmental impact assessment (SEIAs) undertaken, and associated management and monitoring plans?
Soils, fire and GHG emissions

4.5 / 12 37.5%
Organisation: 0 / 3 0%

Policy: 2.5 / 5 50%

Practice: 2 / 4 50%

Self-reported: 1.3 / 4 31.3%

External: 0 / 4 0%
- 38. Commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?
  
  This indicator is disabled as the company has informed ZSL that it doesn't have landbank on peat.
- 39. Landbank or planted area on peat (ha)?
  
  This indicator is disabled as the company has informed ZSL that it doesn't have landbank on peat.
- 40. Implementation of commitment to no planting on peat of any depth?
  
  This indicator is disabled as the company has informed ZSL that it doesn't have landbank on peat.
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  41. Commitment to best management practices for soils and peat?
  
  The company commits to use best management practices for soils. It is unclear if the company has landbank on peat.
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  42. Evidence of best management practices for soils and peat?
  
  The company provides some examples of its member companies applying intecropping.
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  43. Commitment to best/sustainable tapping practices?
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  44. Evidence of best/sustainable tapping practices?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  45. Commitment to zero burning?
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  46. Evidence of management and monitoring fires?
- 0 / 1
  
  47. Details/number of hotspots/fires in company estates/management units?
- 0 / 1
  
  Source
  
  48. Time-bound commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity?
  
  The company only has a general commitment to reduce emissions.
- 0 / 1
  
  49. GHG emissions intensity?
- 0 / 1
  
  50. Report GHG emissions from land use change?
- 0 / 1
  
  51. Methodology used to calculate GHG emissions?
- 0 / 1
  
  52. Progress towards commitment to reduce GHG emissions intensity?
Water, chemical and pest management

4.75 / 17 27.9%
1 media report
Organisation: 0 / 2 0%

Policy: 2.5 / 6 41.7%

Practice: 2.3 / 9 25%

Self-reported: 2.3 / 9 25%

External: 0 / 9 0%
- 0 / 1
  
  53. Time-bound commitment to improve water quality (BOD and COD)?
- 0 / 1
  
  54. Progress towards commitment on water quality (BOD and COD)?
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  55. Treatment of effluents from processing facilities?
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  56. Percentage of processing facilities with closed-loop water treatment system (100%)?
- 0.5 / 1
  
  57. Time-bound commitment to improve water use intensity?
  
  The company commits to follow the UN REDD guidance on sustainable natural rubber production which has targets however it is unclear what the timeline is and which targets are relevant for the company.
- 0 / 1
  
  58. Water use intensity?
- 0 / 1
  
  59. Progress towards commitment on water use intensity?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  60. Commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?
- 0 / 1
  
  61. Implementation of commitment to protect natural waterways through buffer zones?
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  62. Reducing odours from natural rubber processing facilities?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  63. Commitment to minimise the use of chemicals, including pesticides and chemical fertilisers?
  
  The company commits to follow the UN REDD guidance on sustainable natural rubber production which includes minimising the use of fertilisers and pesticides.
- 0 / 1
  
  64. Commitment to no use of World Health Organisation (WHO) Class 1A and 1B pesticides?
- 0 / 1
  
  65. Commitment to no use of chemicals listed under the Stockholm Convention and Rotterdam Convention?
- 0 / 1
  
  66. Implementation of commitment to reduce chemical usage?
- 0 / 1
  
  67. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach?
- 0 / 1
  
  Source
  
  68. Chemical usage per ha or list of chemicals used?
- 0 / 1
  
  69. Waste management system in place to avoid negative impacts?
Community, land and labour rights

15 / 28 53.6%
3 media reports
Organisation: 1 / 4 25%

Policy: 12 / 17 70.6%

Practice: 2 / 7 28.6%

Self-reported: 2 / 7 28.6%

External: 0 / 7 0%
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  70. Commitment to human rights?
- 0 / 1
  
  71. Commitment to human rights applies to all sourcing excluding smallholders?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  72. Commitment to respect indigenous and local communities' rights?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  73. Commitment to respect legal and customary land tenure rights?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  74. Commitment to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)?
- 0 / 1
  
  75. FPIC commitment applies to all sourcing excluding smallholders?
- 0 / 1
  
  76. Details on Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process available?
- 0 / 1
  
  77. Examples of local stakeholder engagement to prevent conflicts?
- 0 / 1
  
  78. Details of process for addressing land conflicts available?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  79. Commitment to support the inclusion of women across natural rubber operations, including addressing barriers faced?
- 0 / 1
  
  80. Commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  81. Progress on commitment to mitigate impacts on food security?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  82. Commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  83. Progress on commitment to provide essential community services and facilities?
  
  The company provides examples of essential community services and facilities provided including medical centers, schools and roads.
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  84. Commitment to provide business/work opportunities for local communities?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  85. Commitment to respect all workers' rights?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  86. Commitment to Fundamental ILO Conventions or Free and Fair Labour Principles?
  
  The company has a commitment not to violate ILO Conventions.
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  87. Commitment to eliminate gender related discrimination with regards to employment and occupation?
- 88. Percentage or number of temporary employees?
  
  This indicator is disabled as the company has informed ZSL that it does not have any temporary employees.
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  89. Percentage or number of women employees?
  
  33234 (40.6%)
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  90. Commitment to pay at least minimum wage?
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  91. Progress on commitment to pay at least minimum wage?
  
  The company only states that the average wage was higher than the minimum wage.
- 0 / 1
  
  Source
  
  92. Reporting of salary by gender?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  93. Commitment to address occupational health and safety?
- 0 / 1
  
  94. Time lost due to work-based injuries?
- 0 / 1
  
  95. Reduction of time lost due to work-based injuries?
- 0 / 1
  
  96. Number of fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?
- 0 / 1
  
  97. Zero fatalities as a result of work-based accidents?
- 0 / 1
  
  98. Provision of personal protective equipment and related training?
Certification standards/Sustainability initiatives

1.5 / 5 30%
2 media reports
Organisation: 0 / 1 0%

Policy: 1 / 1 100%

Practice: 0.5 / 3 16.7%

Self-reported: 0.5 / 3 16.7%

External: 0 / 3 0%
- 0 / 1
  
  99. Member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR)?
- 0 / 1
  
  100. Submitted self-declaration form for the Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative (SNR-i)?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  101. Commitment to become 100% certified under voluntary sustainability certification scheme?
  
  The company is currently disassociated from the FSC however it made a commitment to become 100% FSC certified by 2024 and the company is currently working on the Roadmap of reassociation.
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  102. Certified under voluntary sustainability certification scheme?
  
  Some of the company's operations are ISO 14001 certified.
- 0 / 1
  
  103. Percentage area (ha) FSC certified?
  
  The company is currently disassociated from the FSC however it made a commitment to become 100% FSC certified by 2024 and the company is currently working on the Roadmap of reassociation.
Smallholders and suppliers

2.75 / 10 27.5%
2 media reports
Organisation: 1 / 1 100%

Policy: 1 / 4 25%

Practice: 0.8 / 5 15%

Self-reported: 0.8 / 5 15%

External: 0 / 5 0%
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  104. Commitment to support smallholders?
- 105. Programme to support scheme smallholders / outgrowers?
  
  This indicator is disabled as the company has informed ZSL that it does not source from scheme smallholders/outgrowers.
- 106. Percentage of scheme smallholders / outgrowers involved in programme?
  
  This indicator is disabled as the company has informed ZSL that it does not source from scheme smallholders/outgrowers.
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  107. Programme to support independent smallholders?
  
  The company provides seeds, training in good agricultural practices and access to markets.
- 0 / 1
  
  108. Percentage of independent smallholders involved in programme?
- 1 / 1
  
  Source
  
  109. Percentage of supply from smallholders?
  
  60000 (19.5%) - The company states that it used 60,000 tons of rubber from smallholders out of 307,000 tons and plans to increase the amount sourced from smallholders to 105,000 tons by 2020.
- 0 / 1
  
  Source
  
  110. Percentage of supply coming from agroforestry?
  
  The company has some agroforestry operations in its own operations however no information on the percentage of supply coming from these estates were found.
- 0 / 1
  
  111. Process used to prioritise, assess and/or engage non-smallholder suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?
- 0 / 1
  
  112. Number or percentage of non-smallholder suppliers assessed and/or engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?
- 0 / 1
  
  113. Suspension or exclusion criteria for non-smallholder suppliers?
- 0 / 1
  
  114. Process used to engage smallholder suppliers on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?
- 0 / 1
  
  115. Number or percentage of smallholder suppliers engaged on compliance with company's policy and/or legal requirements?
Governance and grievances

1.75 / 5 35%
3 media reports
Organisation: 0 / 0 0%

Policy: 1 / 3 33.3%

Practice: 0.8 / 2 37.5%

Self-reported: 0.8 / 2 37.5%

External: 0 / 2 0%
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  116. Commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?
  
  The company only mentions anti-corruption.
- 0.75 / 1
  
  Source
  
  117. Progress on commitment to ethical conduct and prohibition of corruption?
- 0 / 1
  
  118. Whistleblowing procedure?
- 0.5 / 1
  
  Source
  
  119. Own grievance or complaints system open to all stakeholders?
  
  The company states to have a grievance system however limited details are provided on the process and it is unclear if the system is accessible for external stakeholders.
- 0 / 1
  
  120. Details of complaints and grievances disclosed?

Media monitor: Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG)

SPOTT monitors global media sources for coverage of assessed companies. The media monitor gathers reports about specific activities related to the assessment indicator categories. ZSL does not assess or score the validity of media coverage, but users can explore the media monitor to provide context on implementation, and infer risks associated with reported operations on the ground. The media monitor undergoes a full update at the time of publishing an assessment round, with ad-hoc updates throughout the year. This is not an exhaustive list of all media reports relevant to the company.

All media reports (7)

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September 2020

Under cover of Covid-19, loggers ravage Cambodian wildlife sanctuary

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June 2020

Vietnamese agribusiness firm HAGL accused of clearing indigenous land in Cambodia

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January 2020

State-run Vietnam rubber firm plans expansion in Kingdom

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May 2019

Cambodian sanctuary ravaged by logging

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May 2019

Vietnam Rubber Group plans FSC certification for rubber forests

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September 2014

Environmental Group Blasts Forest Council For Certifying Tainted Vietnam Company

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August 2014

Vietnam rubber giant to hear complaints from displaced communities

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Scoring criteria

Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG)

ESG scores:

Supply chain scores:

Company assessment: Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG) – November 2019

Resolution - Broad of Management of Vietnam Rubber Group - Joint Stock Company - on sustainable development enterprise

Steering Committee for Sustainable Development

Sustainability Report

Voluntary Guidelines on Mitigating Socio-Environmental Risks for Vietnamese Outward Investors in Agricuture in the Mekong Subregion (PanNature, Oxfam, VCCI)

Comments on the letter of the Welber & Schaer GmH & Co KG

Technical Guidelines for Sustainable Production of Rubber

List of members webpage

VRG Brochure

Maps of Cambodian concessions

VRG's Commitments to Sustainable Development

Bridgeline - report a concern

The Sustainable Development 2019 -2024 and the Operational Plan 2019 of the Viet Nan Rubber Group

VRG declares its commitment to FSC Roadmap process

Technical Manual for Sustainable Rubber Production

Farmer Trainer Training

Codiga de Conducta (Code of Conduct)

30 years Kon Tum Rubber One Member Company Limited: Diffuse imprint

Handbook on Sustainable Rubber Plantation Managemnet in accordance with the International Certification Standards - WWF, VRA, VRG

SEIA report - Krong Buk Rubber Company Ltd

Chemicals List

Certification status of supplier mills in 2018

VRG's Rubber Technical Process

Firefighting during Tet season

Environmental Protection commitments of Mang Yang Rubber Company

Decree No. 80/2014/ND-CP dated on 6 August 2014 on the drainage and treatment of wastewater

Circular on Sustainable Forest Management, 28/2018/TT-BNNPTNT

Strengthen the apparatus and improve the effectiveness of the Board's activities for the advancement of women

New policy for female workers

Phuoc Hoa Rubber takes good care of female workers

Binh Long Rubber: Actively promotes intercropping

Company's policy to support rubber smallholders in Cambodia

Socio-Economic Benefits

Vietnam Rubber Group plans FSC certification for rubber forests

The company's Planning for replanting in 2018, 2019 and 2020

Dong Nai Rubber Corporation provides comprehensive support for smallholder rubber development

VRG promotes the practice of thrift against waste and anti-corruption

Inspection Board

Media monitor: Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG)

Under cover of Covid-19, loggers ravage Cambodian wildlife sanctuary

Vietnamese agribusiness firm HAGL accused of clearing indigenous land in Cambodia

State-run Vietnam rubber firm plans expansion in Kingdom

Cambodian sanctuary ravaged by logging

Vietnam Rubber Group plans FSC certification for rubber forests

Environmental Group Blasts Forest Council For Certifying Tainted Vietnam Company

Vietnam rubber giant to hear complaints from displaced communities

Media monitor: Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG)

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