16 February 2026
Over the past 12 months, members of the Leather Working Group team have been busy working on updating our standards. We have conducted four public consultations, consulted with stakeholders, listened to feedback, and implemented various changes as we continue to place collaboration at the heart of everything we do.
Now we have a final pilot study stage before transitioning from the Protocol 7 standard into what will be known as the LWG Sustainability System.
The first three tanneries to take part in our pilot studies were in India – learn more about the process and take a look at photos from the tests below.
What is the LWG Sustainability System?
Updating Protocol 7, the LWG Sustainability System will provide a more comprehensive, future-ready framework to support continuous improvement across the leather supply chain. It will be made up of the Leather Production Standard and the Chain of Custody Standard, together with supporting guidance and training documentation. It has been developed using ISEAL guidelines and overseen by a programme board, incorporating expert input from across our global community – including tanneries, brands, suppliers, leather technologists, and auditors.
“With a new approach, open conversations, and pilot testing, we feel that this latest version of the standard will represent the industry better than ever.”
Why are pilot studies being conducted?
Before launching the new standards, Leather Working Group is carrying out pilot testing in a selection of tanneries to ensure that the draft versions of the Leather Production Standard and the Chain of Custody Standard are fully ready for implementation. This vital stage of the latest iteration of the Standards Development Programme helps confirm that the proposed requirements are practical, scalable, and trusted across the leather industry.
What are Leather Working Group pilot studies designed to achieve?
These pilot studies will test whether the requirements that are set out in the Leather Production Standard and Chain Of Custody Standard are practical and verifiable across the diverse range of situations that are experienced in the day-to-day operations of tanneries.
“We like the new way of working – it’s an improvement because it gives us the chance to show the efforts were making and to learn more.”
When will the next LWG audit standard go live?
The LWG Sustainability System is due to be published in mid 2026.