The Leather Working Group hosted a one hour seminar at the Chennai Trade Centre on February 1 as part of the India International Leather Fair 2026.
The session focused on the next version of LWG standards, new training opportunities for tanneries and a detailed explanation of the audit and certification process handled by LWG Assurance Services.
The session was led by Vanessa Podmore, Executive Director of LWG and Jon Loxston, Managing Director of LWG Assurance Services.
Several senior leaders from Indian tanneries attended the session making it one of the more closely followed discussions at the fair.
During the Q&A many participants raised sharp and practical questions around the new standards, audit timelines and the shortage of LWG auditors.
Some industry members also questioned whether the current certification model is creating pressure on small and mid sized tanneries that are already struggling with low margins.
Participants pointed out that many capable tanneries delivering consistent quality are being rejected by global buyers only because they lack LWG certification.
After the session during networking several tanners said they are already operating under revenue stress and cannot afford the cost of audits system, upgrades and certification despite following responsible practices.
The discussion highlighted a growing gap between brand expectations and ground realities in India, especially for smaller tanners and leather exporters.
The seminar reflected strong alignment with LWG’s sustainability goals and the upcoming new LWG standards while recognising the need to balance environmental responsibility with business viability through continued engagement and support from LWG for smaller tanneries.
