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21 April 2026

World Leather Day is an annual celebration of leather’s unique qualities, the people who make it, and the industry’s commitment to sustainability. It was established in 2022 by Leather Naturally and Leather Working Group, and this year's event takes place on Wednesday 29 April, 2026.

Previously the event has promoted the theme of “Repair, Reuse, Repurpose” – emphasising the long-lasting, repairable, and versatile qualities of leather that make it the ideal material for a circular society. Embracing these practices plays an important role in minimising our environmental footprint, and this year's theme is “Make It Leather”, which encourages brands, manufacturers, designers, educators, and consumers to actively champion leather through communications, product storytelling, events, and educational initiatives.

World Leather Day is more than just a celebration; it is a commitment to responsible practices for the leather industry as a whole, which complements Leather Working Group's mission of reducing the environmental impact of the leather industry. It’s about promoting a deeper understanding of leather by showcasing its craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability.

Click here to find out more about our work, and scroll down to read more about why World Leather Day is important to our organisation. 

 

 

 

Here at Leather Working Group, we believe celebrating the benefits of leather is especially important at a time when material choices are under increasing scrutiny and clear, fact-based communication is more important than ever.

“World Leather Day reflects the importance of collaboration across the sector, explains Vanessa Podmore, Leather Working Group Executive Director. “We achieve more when manufacturers, brands and industry organisations work together to improve standards, share knowledge and communicate more confidently about leather’s benefits.”

Leather continues to offer significant value through its durability, lifespan, and unique natural character. At the same time, the industry continues to evolve through innovation, craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

That progress can be seen across the global supply chain by Leather Working Group-certified leather manufacturers that continue to strengthen environmental performance, operational practices, and responsible production standards.

 

 

As Leather Working Group prepares to launch new audit standards updates centred around the Leather Production Standard and Chain of Custody Standard, that role becomes even more important. Sustainability is no longer something businesses can treat as a separate initiative, or something reviewed every so often; it is increasingly expected to be part of day-to-day operations – affecting how risk is managed, how performance is communicated, how suppliers are supported, and how businesses build resilience for the future.

Across the value chain, expectations are becoming more complex. Brands are asking more questions, suppliers are being asked to do more, and stakeholders want confidence not just that a framework exists, but that it is clear, credible, and driving improvement.

If sustainability systems are going to work internationally, they need to be practical, transparent, and usable – not just technically robust. That is exactly what underpins Leather Working Group’s updates to audit standards that will be launched later this year.

Our brand members are central to this work – not only because they directly support the development of standards that strengthen sustainable leather production, but because they help drive adoption, understanding, and continuous improvement across the industry. 

Click here to learn more about Leather Working Group’s upcoming updates to audit standards