LWG on Hide Traceability

Understanding where the material that makes our footwear or leather products has come from is now a concern for many consumers. This became an important issue for the LWG when the connection between cattle ranching and deforestation was identified by Greenpeace and other NGOs as a major problem in Brazil.

As a result of this situation the LWG has introduced an assessment of traceability into the environmental stewardship audit process. This will ultimately ensure that the leather manufacturers within the LWG program have a clear understanding of where their raw material is originating from. With this information and in co-operation with NGOs, the LWG aims to reduce the impact cattle ranching has on deforestation in Brazil and potentially in other areas of the world if necessary.