Accurate representation of TSA accreditation status

TSA accredited participants across the tyre supply chain have an obligation to manage used tyres responsibly. When a participant tells customers, suppliers and the wider community that it takes part in the Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme (Scheme), it is showing that it is committed to responsible product stewardship and is prepared to be accountable for how tyres are managed at their end-of-life.

Accreditation under the Scheme is granted for specific categories of participation, such as importers, retailers, collectors, recyclers, local government, fleet operators and miners. This accreditation recognises a participant's commitment to the requirements of the Scheme in the particular category and their ongoing compliance with those requirements.

TSA would like to remind all participants that accreditation with the tyre product stewardship scheme applies only to the category for which it is granted and that, as part of the commitment they make under the Scheme Guidelines as a condition of their accreditation, participants must deal transparently and ethically with others involved in the tyre supply chain, including their customers. Additionally, TSA and the Scheme’s branding and logos may be used only to communicate and describe a business as a participant of the Scheme, and to promote the Scheme in line with the Guidelines and cannot be transferred to any other part of the business.

This means that participants must not mislead, deceive or otherwise do or omit to do anything which may confuse any person in respect of the category or categories in which the participant is accredited. This includes describing accreditation accurately, in the right category, and never suggesting that it extends to services, sites or other organisations that it does not cover.

It has come to TSA’s attention that accreditation is, in some cases, being represented or used beyond its intended purpose or category, including to represent stores, brands or activities that are not covered by an accreditation. Whilst we understand this is not always deliberate, it can confuse consumers and the market, and it weakens the recognition that participants across the supply chain have worked hard to earn.

One of TSA's core roles is to monitor, audit and report on the Scheme, and to accredit participants and monitor their compliance. We verify information and carry out regular audits. If concerns arise and are not resolved, TSA may suspend or revoke accreditation where appropriate.

We encourage all participants to review how they describe their accreditation on their websites, in tenders, in marketing materials and in conversations with customers and other industry stakeholders. If you are unsure whether your accreditation covers a particular activity, or whether you should apply for an additional category, please contact the TSA team. Where a business falls within more than one category, it should seek and apply for accreditation under each category.

Lina Goodman
Chief Executive Officer
Tyre Stewardship Australia