The Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) hosted its year-end meeting on December 3, 2024, bringing together over 100 attendees from 15 countries. The gathering highlighted key achievements, industry insights and ambitious plans for the future, reinforcing SLF’s commitment to sustainability and transparency in the leather value chain.
The meeting started with a review of the year, highlighting SLF’s growth numbers.
- 11% increase in partnerships
- 28% rise in revenue
- 45.5% uptick in audits and preliminary assessment visits
A standout presentation by Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano shed light on the implications of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Complementing his insights, a University of Pisa impact study detailed how EUDR is reshaping the European leather industry.
Hans van Haarst from SHV Holdings followed with a detailed analysis of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). His presentation emphasized the urgent need for collaborative action and highlighted the SLF Transparency Dashboard as an essential tool for navigating these regulatory demands.
SLF’s Technical Review offered a glimpse into the Foundation’s initiatives:
- Recognition on the ITC Standards Map after rigorous third-party evaluations.
- Integration of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the ESG Audit Standard.
- Simplified audit processes through a Supplemental Report for Sub-Contractors.
- Launch of a customizable suite of four training workshops.
- Development of tools like the Brand Dashboard and enhanced visibility on the SLF Transparency Dashboard.
These advancements demonstrated SLF’s commitment to equipping the leather industry with resources to meet modern sustainability challenges.
Katie Kutskill of Is It Leather? delivered a compelling talk on the importance of clear and honest communication about material origins. Her presentation highlighted the need for a united effort in shaping the industry’s external messaging.
The afternoon sessions focused on SLF’s expanding project portfolio. Highlights included:
- Life Cycle Analysis (LCA):
Kevin Latner from the Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA) presented findings challenging misconceptions about cattle’s environmental impact. He also emphasized the need for accurate data to showcase leather’s sustainable benefits. - Leathertrace in Bangladesh:
Dr. Seyi Omolosa from the University of Northampton introduced this SMEP-funded project aimed at improving traceability and environmental standards. This initiative will run until May 2026 and includes a traceability tool tailored to Bangladesh’s unique challenges.
The meeting concluded with a celebratory touch. Speakers received exclusive “Making Leather Great Again” hoodies, courtesy of the Junaid Vohra aka Leather Dude.
Attendees also took home limited-edition leather cow figurines crafted by the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT), marking the last SLF meeting at the University of Northampton before ICLT’s closure.
For members, presentation slides are available in the Partner Resources section on the SLF website.
You can view and download the Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) Annual Report here
For more information, visit www.sustainableleatherfoundation.com or email info@sustainableleatherfoundation.com.
