Leather Manufacturers are able to join the LWG after having completed a successful LWG audit, conducted by an LWG-approved auditor. Membership to LWG is valid for 24 months. The 2-day audit is an evaluation of a leather manufacturer’s environmental credentials.
LWG-audited tanneries can be found globally and represent 20% of the world’s production of leather.
Traders of part-processed material may join LWG by completing the LWG Trader Assesment.
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Leather Manufacturer Certifications
Our objective is to develop/maintain a protocol that assesses the environmental compliance and performance capabilities of leather manufacturers and promotes sustainable environmental practices.
Our philosophy on membership is that brands and suppliers fund the group through annual subscriptions, while leather manufacturers are assessed via the LWG Environmental Audit Protocol.
Approximate number of LWG members globally 650
Approximate percentage of finished leather as a proportion of world production 20%
Average water saved by the LWG rated leather manufacturers each year 12.1 billion litres
Average energy saved by the LWG rated leather manufacturers each year 775 Megawatts
Approximate number of leather manufacturers under certification 450
Approximate volume of leather covered by the certification 3.9 billion ft2
Approximate volume of wet blue under certification 3.2 billion ft2
Approximate volume of wet blue with Grade A traceability 1.9 billion ft2
Average water reduction by category C leather manufacturers over 4 audits 35%
Average water reduction by category D leather manufacturers over 4 audits 30%
Average energy reduction by category C leather manufacturers over 4 audits 48%
Average energy reduction by category D leather manufacturers over 4 audits 33%
LWG hosts two annual Main Member Meetings: one in Spring, to coincide with APLF in Hong Kong, and the second in Autumn to coincide with a European leather fair.
LWG is made up of representative parties from different areas of the product supply chain, including brands, leather manufacturers, technical experts and other industry representatives.
A recent article in The Independent discusses the issue of the reality of using "alternatives" to leather that "pretend" to be leather.
LWG is quoted by two different sources for our work in demonstrating responsible and sustainble leather production through our certified, audited leather manufacturers.
Click here for the full article: The Problem with Vegan Leather - Is is really more sustainable?
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