Audit Certification
SERVICE
SERVICE
SLF’s Approach To All Our Work Follows The Principle Of A.I.M. – Accessible, Inclusive And Modular.
Our objective is to empower the leather value chain with the tools and knowledge necessary to make transformative change for a more sustainable future. By providing a holistic approach to education, information, training and auditing, facilities throughout the leather value chain can take control of their improvement programs at a pace to suit them, and in partnership with their suppliers and customers.
The guiding principle of our certification program is A.I.M.
ACCESSIBLE
- SLF is available to all. You don’t need to pass an audit before you can become a Partner of SLF. We encourage all stakeholders to become partners in order that we can support the improvement with our tools to create a Sustainability Roadmap that is tailored to the needs of the individual facility.
- By providing access to the SLF tools and resource, facilities will benefit from an increased potential for change at a pace that suits their abilities.
ACCESSIBLE
- SLF is available to all. You don’t need to pass an audit before you can become a Partner of SLF. We encourage all stakeholders to become partners in order that we can support the improvement with our tools to create a Sustainability Roadmap that is tailored to the needs of the individual facility.
- By providing access to the SLF tools and resource, facilities will benefit from an increased potential for change at a pace that suits their abilities.
INCLUSIVE
- Our program works whether you are a small organisation with 10 or less employees, or whether you are a multi-national organisation with thousands of employees.
- SLF’s system is inclusive and recognises certification that is already in place from other credible 3rd party organisations. This avoids duplication of effort and allows for freedom of choice when working with brands, suppliers and certification companies.
INCLUSIVE
- Our program works whether you are a small organisation with 10 or less employees, or whether you are a multi-national organisation with thousands of employees.
- SLF’s system is inclusive and recognises certification that is already in place from other credible 3rd party organisations. This avoids duplication of effort and allows for freedom of choice when working with brands, suppliers and certification companies.
MODULAR
The SLF Transparency Dashboard™ is designed to be modular. Once a facility becomes a partner of SLF, their existing certification is mapped onto the three ESG modules. SLF’s Audit Standard can then be used to complete any outstanding sections if required. A tannery with no certification can start with just one module or with single sections in each module and build up their certification over a time frame that is designed around their ability/need.
MODULAR
The SLF Transparency Dashboard™ is designed to be modular. Once a facility becomes a partner of SLF, their existing certification is mapped onto the three ESG modules. SLF’s Audit Standard can then be used to complete any outstanding sections if required. A tannery with no certification can start with just one module or with single sections in each module and build up their certification over a time frame that is designed around their ability/need.
SLF has a complete audit certificate program and can provide audits for:
- Environmental Compliance
- Social Compliance (our Social Audit is accepted by LWG as a requirement for their audit protocol)
- Governance Compliance
- Traceability
- Gap Auditing for all ESG
Our audit certification program is suitable for:
Leather Manufacturers
Product Manufacturers
Traders and Processors
Chemical Companies
Leather Manufacturers
Product Manufacturers
Traders and Processors
Chemical Companies
Development work is taking place to extend the suitability to meatpackers and machinery companies.
Audit Tools
Sustainable Leather Foundation has created a suite of tools designed to support the leather value chain in their sustainability journey.
Our suite of tools comprise:
- SLF Audit Standard Report (ASR) – 3 Modules for Environmental, Social and Governance. Each module can be treated individually or worked on together as one complete package.
- SLF Standards and Benchmarks – the foundation upon which the Audit Standard is assessed. These documents should be read in conjunction with the ASR.
- Explanatory Notes and Templates – helpful information to support and guide companies in how to answer the audit questions in the ASR.
You can find example documents on our Audit Tool Examples page.
If you are interested in participating as a Foundation Partner and would like to see full versions, get in touch.
All audited companies have a Transparency Dashboard to record their audit results through SLF and to record any equivalent audit certification from other credible 3rd party schemes such as LWG, ICEC, Oeko-Tex Step for Leather, ISO certification, SA8000, SMETA.
Brands, retailers and OEMs can benefit from User Profiles which link to their own suppliers that have Transparency Dashboards, to link responsible supply chains together.
To request an audit, complete the Audit Request Form here and email it to the team at info@sustainableleatherfoundation.com who will get back to you.
Alternatively, email an auditor directly from the list below.
To request an audit, complete the Audit Request Form here and email it to the team who will get back to you.
Alternatively, email an auditor directly from the list below.
Our Auditing Team
Our auditors are geographically located in the UK, India, Indoneasia, Italy, Pakistan, Spain and Turkey.
The auditors are contracted to perform SLF audits on behalf of the Foundation. All audit administration and management is conducted centrally by the Foundation.
Junaid is the Managing Director of Asian Verification and works as a Consultant and Lead Auditor, helping textile, apparel, leather and footwear industries to achieve business excellence.
Zain is SLF’s Head of Auditing Services and holds a Masters degree in Operations Management – MBA from ITM Business School, India, Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Anna University, India. He has worked as a Chemical Quality and Procurement Manager in the leather industry in his career and has provided information technology services setting up ERP systems in tanneries and shoe factories for optimised workflow.
Onur holds an MBA and PhD from the Leather Engineering department in Ege University. In 2021, Onur obtained his CQI & IRCA Certified ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Lead Auditor Qualification and has focused his current attention on using this knowledge to support the leather industry in becoming more sustainable.
Chris holds an MBA from Bradford University, a Certificate in Leather Technology from Northampton (Nene) University and a BSC (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from Nottingham Trent University, all in the UK. 
Alexandra’s early career in the leather industry started as Head of Europe for Leatherteq Limited which gave her experience working at senior management level and across a wide remit.
Deborah is an accredited SA8000 Social Systems Lead Auditor and is available to conduct Social and Governance Audits.
Sam is a qualified SA8000 Social Systems Lead Auditor having achieved an impressive 94% in his exam to qualify. SGS Auditors
The auditors below are employed by SGS and are authorised to perform SLF audits on behalf of the Foundation. All audit administration and management is conducted centrally by the Foundation.
Giriraj is a Lead Auditor with more than 17 years experience. His credentials include:Our Auditor Code of Conduct
Our auditing team work in accordance with the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) and the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) Code of Conduct to ensure the highest ethical standards and integrity.
All SLF auditors will ensure the following principles of auditing:
Act with integrity at all times
Ensure impartiality and objectivity within the audit
Maintain confidentiality and security of information
Ensure due diligence and professionalism
Ensure fair representation and accurate, truthful reporting
Maintain an evidence based approach
Ensure the adoption of structured audit process to ensure reliable, consistent auditing
- Ensure a risk-based approach that considers risks and opportunities for improvement
To find out more get in touch and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.