The Sustainable Leather Foundation’s inclusive approach allows consumers to recognise and understand material product life-cycle management for better informed purchasing decisions. This is possible by assessing and certifying leather manufacturers and associated leather value chain organisations for their performance and compliance against the Sustainable Leather Foundation Audit Standard.
Working with a joined up approach the Audit Standard is accompanied by robust Standards and Benchmarks, alongside Explanatory Notes and Templates. All our Standards and Benchmarks have been reviewed by experts in each respective area to ensure appropriateness and relevance. Where existing industry or intergovernmental norms and standards exist, the Foundation has used these as our anchor, to support alignment and avoid confusion.
All our tools are designed to support organisations in understanding what information is required and how it should be presented, monitored and evaluated. In addition, external resources are also referenced where value can be added.
Inclusiveness through Equivalency
Leather manufacturers and associated leather value chain organisations can register their compliance or audit certificates received from other organisations, through our equivalency service. Existing certification from recognised 3rd party organisations can be mapped onto our Transparency Dashboard and referenced in our Performance Summary to provide a “one-stop reference” for customers and consumers.
For organisations just starting on their sustainability journey, they can work in a step-by-step, modular way to achieve recognition at a pace to suit their circumstances. Not everything has to be audited at the same time, which means a thoughtfully crafted roadmap can be developed with support and input from customers according to their requirements. This will provide a realistic pathway for improvement and progression with support from industry.
Our Audit Modules
Environmental Compliance Module
The sections covered under our Environmental Audit are:
- Permits and Licenses
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Environmental Management System
- Environmental Footprint
- Land Use
- Energy Consumption
- Water Use
- Raw Materials and Chemicals
- Machinery and Equipment
- Air Emissions
- Effluent Treatment
- Soil Contamination
- Solid Waste
Social Compliance Module
The sections covered under our Social Audit are:
- Permits and Licenses
- Age of Workers
- Compulsory (Forced) Labour
- Discrimination
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Staff Development and Representation
- Wages and Benefits
- Worker Health and Safety
- Working Hours
Governance Compliance Module
The sections covered under our Governance Audit are:
- Permits and Licenses
- Ethical Business Practice
- Animal Welfare
- Traceability
- Housekeeping
- Best Available Techniques
- Process Control and Quality
- Chemical Management
- Restricted Substances
- Occupational Health and Safety
- PR and Communication
Already have existing audit certification?
No problem, register with us and we will award equivalency on your Transparency Dashboard.
Don’t need all 3 modules auditing?
No problem, whether you require all 3 modules or just a few sections across all 3 modules, we can build your programme around your needs.