Global leather industry bodies have asked the European Commission to remove leather from the EU Deforestation Regulation. The International Meat Secretariat, International Council of Skins, Hides & Leather Traders Associations and the International Council of Tanners made this request, citing serious impact on businesses.

The International Council of Tanners, which represents the leather industry, said the inclusion of leather under the EU Deforestation Regulation could do more harm than good. The group argued that leather is not a cause of deforestation and regulating it will not reduce global forest loss.

“These representative bodies are deeply concerned about the huge negative social, economic and environmental damage that could arise if leather remains within the scope of the EU Deforestation Regulation. Leather is not a driver of deforestation and its inclusion in the regulation will have no impact on global rates of deforestation. It could, however, cause serious damage to EU and extra-EU businesses that supply raw materials for, manufacture or utilise leather in the production of other goods.”

The council also pointed to the ongoing review of the regulation as the right time to reassess leather’s inclusion. It said removing HS41 products would simplify the rules and protect industry jobs without weakening the regulation’s goals.

“Our assertion remains that removing all HS41 products will simplify the regulation, protect jobs and supply chains while doing nothing to diminish the laudable ambition of the regulation.”

The ICT has now called on all players in the leather supply chain to push their governments to support this removal.