Collaborations

ZDHC

ZDHC is a multi-stakeholder organisation comprising over 320 signatories from across the industry including Brands, Suppliers, Solution Providers and Chemical Suppliers. The Roadmap to Zero Programme, by ZDHC, leads the fashion industry to eliminate harmful chemicals from its global supply chain by building the foundation for more sustainable manufacturing to protect workers, consumers and our planet’s ecosystems.

LWG and ZDHC work collaboratively on a number of different projects. Currently, LWG-certified leather manufacturers can use the ZDHC Gateway to demonstrate their MRSL compliance.

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

The National Wildlife Federation is one of the world’s largest, oldest, and most trusted nonprofit conservation organizations, with more than 6 million members and supporters. NWF is committed to protecting and restoring habitats, waterways and communities, advancing 21st century wildlife management, and mobilising the next generation of conservationists.   

LWG has been collaborating with NWF for many years, focused primarily on developing better traceability and deforestation due diligence within the global leather industry. 

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the world’s leading independent conservation organisation. As part of their mission, WWF works with producers, companies and full supply chains to improve the sustainability of beef and leather production, helping to ensure that consumers safe, affordable and sustainable choices.

LWG works with WWF to develop our traceability and deforestation due diligence approach.

Textile Exchange

Textile Exchange is a global non-profit that works closely with our members to drive industry transformation in preferred fibers, integrity and standards and responsible supply networks.

LWG and Textile Exchange agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in late 2018, for the purpose of collaborating on the promotion of environmental improvement within the leather industry. The collaboration will foster alignment to ensure cross-fertilisation of knowledge and avoid duplicative activities.

In addition, the Textile Exchange Leather Impact Accelerator (LIA) recognises the LWG Certification within its leather production environmental standard benchmark. LIA is a framework that sets existing industry tools into a coherent package and enables leather supply chain members to contribute to a more responsible supply chain.

Leather Naturally

Leather Naturally is a not-for-profit industry members association that focuses on education and the promotion of leather as a material. They promote the use of sustainable leather and seek to inspire and inform designers, creators, and consumers about its beauty, quality and versatility.

UNIDO — United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

The United National Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability.

LWG has worked with UNIDO to provide access to existing training materials and jointly create new materials for our members. Free training materials that are currently available include:

• Introduction to the Treatment of Tannery Effluents
• How to Deal with Hydrogen Sulphide Gas
• Benchmarking in Tanneries
• Framework for Sustainable Leather Manufacture
• Occupational Health & Safety Aspects of Tanneries

1% for the Planet

The Leather Working Group is proud to be part of the 1% for the Planet network, which connects businesses and nonprofits to protect the planet. 1% for the Planet works to build partnerships across six core issue areas: climate, food, land, pollution, water and wildlife.

Businesses joining 1% for the Planet commit to giving 1% of their gross sales each year to the approved nonprofit partners through various means of support. As such, businesses can fulfil part of their commitment through LWG Membership.