COTANCE took part in the Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) Joint Liaison Forum in Brussels on 16 June 2026 and held its annual General Assembly on 17 June 2026, where industry leaders discussed trade, sustainability, regulation and the future direction of the European leather industry.
The meetings also highlighted new industry projects, membership growth and efforts to strengthen the sector’s voice before EU policymakers.
At the TCLF Joint Liaison Forum, employers, employees and the European Commission discussed key issues including the Industry Accelerator Act, Forced Labour Regulation and international trade.
Participants reviewed the EU-India and EU-Mercosur free trade agreements. However, liberalisation timelines stretching up to 15 years and continued protection of leather, footwear and textile sectors in those markets remain obstacles to creating a level playing field.
COTANCE presented the UNIDO Guidelines for the Environmental Footprint of Leather, describing them as a new global benchmark for measuring leather’s environmental performance and an important reference for the Circular Economy Act.
ALSO READ: UNIDO Releases New Guidelines for Assessing the Environmental Footprint of Leather
The organisation also introduced SER2026, its Social and Environmental Report project launched in April 2026. The initiative aims to collect data from European tanneries on more than 37 social indicators and 39 environmental parameters, updating the current dataset for the European leather industry.
Participants agreed that the TCLF sector must speak with one voice and remain visible to EU decision-makers. COTANCE also reaffirmed its commitment to social dialogue and a just, green and digital transition alongside industriAll Europe, EURATEX, the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry and the European Commission.
ALSO READ: COTANCE and industriAll to Assess Social and Environmental Performance of European Leather Industry
During the General Assembly, COTANCE shared the first concrete results of its 2025 rebranding initiative, highlighting new offices and new statutes.
The association said the proposed exclusion of leather from the EUDR, greater visibility in Brussels and beyond and the expansion of projects and membership showed that its vision was materialising.
“Thanks to our joint efforts, we are strengthening our position in the regulatory field. The UNIDO Guidelines strengthen our position. SER2026 will be our compass – proving that sustainability and quality jobs go hand in hand. We have a new Secretary General, new offices, new members. The European Commission knows we are here. COTANCE is the embassy of European leather in Brussels and we intend to act like it.”
– Manuel Rios, President, COTANCE
The General Assembly also set new strategic directions in regulatory and communications activities and approved its first group of new supporting members, who will formally join in September 2026.
ALSO READ: COTANCE Opens Membership for Supporting Members After Statute Reform Approval
