The Cotance initiative to align leather traceability systems has been taking shape since its inception in Sept. 2022. In monthly meetings, key leather-related certification system operators and interested CEN TC 289 standardization experts have been preparing to define minimum traceability standards and mandatory verification evidence together with the Cotance secretariat.
At their last meeting at the end of Jan. 2023, the Institute of Quality Certification for the Leather Sector (ICEC), the Leather Working Group (LWG), the Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF), Oeko-Tex and Textile Exchange agreed on the final touches of the framework for action. It started the signing process during the Lineapelle fair in Milan: The first signatories were LWG, ICEC and the SLF. Oeko-Tex and Textile Exchange were absent at the fair and will submit their signatures soon. The mandate is to expand the group to include relevant intergovernmental organizations such as UNIDO or UNECE, NGOs and organizations in the livestock sector. According to the Sustainable Leather Foundation, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the National Wildlife Federation have already expressed interest in participating.
The next meeting of the Leather Traceability Cluster, as the working group has been named, is scheduled for March 16.
