This month saw SLF launch a new campaign “Are You Ready” to help the leather industry prepare for the incoming regulations and directives that will have a significant impact on our sector.
It is crucial that all stakeholders understand what the new legislation means, how it will affect their business and how they can prepare now in order to meet the challenges ahead.
This does not have to be an overwhelming task; SLF is encouraging organisations to take small steps now and to work with existing business information that is already available as the starting point for progression.
This landmark directive aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour. It will require companies to address human rights and environmental impacts of their actions – including their value chain suppliers, starting from 2024.
Even if your company is not in the EU, if you are part of a supply chain that results in products being sold by companies in Europe, you will be affected by the new requirements.
Your potential risk is not just confined to your immediate locality. Your ESG risks may occur at other parts of the value chain that take place in different geographic regions. It is important to understand your extended sustainability and human rights risk profile.
Having the ability to demonstrate and report on your due diligence for environmental, social and governance risks is vital. Systems, policies, procedures and 3rd party verification / certification will be required.
Now is the time to ensure you have resource and external support to help you to meet the incoming legislation. Start with allocating a responsible person to coordinate what you already have and where your exposure is.
If your answer to any of the above questions is “no”, then you could benefit from becoming a partner of the Sustainable Leather Foundation and working with SLF’s A.I.M. (Accessible, Inclusive, Modular) approach to robust ESG development and certification. The Foundation has a systematic way that guides and supports organisations to prepare and meet the expectations of customers for the future.
Our industry is in a state of change that requires evolution away from the “business as usual” model and into a “business of the future”. Whilst voluntary standards have been successful to some degree, now that legislation and directives are being introduced, those that have ignored the need to adopt existing voluntary standards are in danger of being left behind. This is a worrying prospect and one that SLF has been passionate about since its inception in 2020. A key part of SLF’s vision is to ensure that all organisations in the leather value chain, irrespective of size, location or current standard of operation, have access to support, training and certification in order to increase positive impacts and reduce negative impacts – for people, planet and profit.
So how can you start to prepare?
The below guide is useful and achievable for any organisation to stop the inertia and start the process of sustainable improvement.
Are you already a partner?
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Not yet a partner?
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