Rubber Glove Manufacturers Form Grouping to Counter U.S. Pressure Groups
August 30, 2000 - 0:0
KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia have formed the Asian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (ARGMA) to, among others, counter allegations from U.S. pressure groups which continuously taint and mar gloves made out of natural rubber or latex.
Representatives from the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association, the Indonesian Latex Gloves Industries Association and the Thai Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association met in Bangkok over the weekend to form the association.
"Even the food and drugs administration of the U.S. has even supported these pressure groups," an ARGMA official told IRNA here.
The U.S. pressure groups include the nurses union and protein allergy groups.
"There is no scientific proof which says protein in latex can cause "sensitized hands". Studies have been done by the rubber research institute of Malaysia and their claims are totally baseless," he said.
ARGMA, in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur, said on Monday the association is also aimed at establishing better mutual understanding and cooperation among all rubber gloves manufacturers in the region.
They also plan to undertake technology development, exchange market information and establish joint marketing effort for the rubber industry in the global market.
The ARGMA official also claimed that the allegations by the pressure groups had resulted in the low price of latex gloves in the world market.
Latex gloves, once priced at $35 ($1 = RM3.80) per box (one box contains 1,000 pieces), now cost $16 a box.
"The glove manufacturing industry here is almost 15 years old.
"If it is really true that Latex can cause this disorder and spread extensively, why haven't these groups drum up on this issue? why now?" he asked.
Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia hold 90 percent of the world wide production of rubber gloves.
Other small manufacturers include China, Sri Lanka and India.
The U.S. is the largest importer of latex gloves at 60 per cent.
They are mainly used in hospitals, medical centers, the electronics industry and food processing facilities.
The remaining 40 percent is imported by European countries such as England, Germany and France.
The ARGMA secretariat will be based in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand will assume the chairmanship of the association for a term of two years.
The founding members will nominate three representatives to form a joint working committee to formulate the by-laws and regulations of the association within 60 days.
The ARGMA expects at least 120 members.
(IRNA)
Representatives from the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association, the Indonesian Latex Gloves Industries Association and the Thai Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association met in Bangkok over the weekend to form the association.
"Even the food and drugs administration of the U.S. has even supported these pressure groups," an ARGMA official told IRNA here.
The U.S. pressure groups include the nurses union and protein allergy groups.
"There is no scientific proof which says protein in latex can cause "sensitized hands". Studies have been done by the rubber research institute of Malaysia and their claims are totally baseless," he said.
ARGMA, in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur, said on Monday the association is also aimed at establishing better mutual understanding and cooperation among all rubber gloves manufacturers in the region.
They also plan to undertake technology development, exchange market information and establish joint marketing effort for the rubber industry in the global market.
The ARGMA official also claimed that the allegations by the pressure groups had resulted in the low price of latex gloves in the world market.
Latex gloves, once priced at $35 ($1 = RM3.80) per box (one box contains 1,000 pieces), now cost $16 a box.
"The glove manufacturing industry here is almost 15 years old.
"If it is really true that Latex can cause this disorder and spread extensively, why haven't these groups drum up on this issue? why now?" he asked.
Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia hold 90 percent of the world wide production of rubber gloves.
Other small manufacturers include China, Sri Lanka and India.
The U.S. is the largest importer of latex gloves at 60 per cent.
They are mainly used in hospitals, medical centers, the electronics industry and food processing facilities.
The remaining 40 percent is imported by European countries such as England, Germany and France.
The ARGMA secretariat will be based in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand will assume the chairmanship of the association for a term of two years.
The founding members will nominate three representatives to form a joint working committee to formulate the by-laws and regulations of the association within 60 days.
The ARGMA expects at least 120 members.
(IRNA)