“For us at SLF, having this commitment from SGS through their partnership proves that we are on the right path for providing a sustainable future for the leather industry” said Deborah Taylor, Managing Director of SLF. She continued “as a new Foundation, still in our first full partnership year, to be able to work with industry experts and specialists at SGS is a significant step in the right direction.  We have the vision of how to provide a true value-added service, but realising that vision requires support and access to global knowledge and infrastructure. Not only have SGS supported us through partnership, but the company is also going to be working with us to provide on the ground support for training, testing and auditing around the world. We are thrilled to be working closely with them”.

Paul Bridge, Deputy VP Softlines and Head of Global Footwear Services, commented. SGS are dedicated and committed towards a sustainable future, partnering with The Sustainable Leather Foundation is a driver towards supporting the leather and related industries towards a measurable Sustainable future.

SLF’s visionary Transparency Dashboard™ and Accessible, Inclusive, Modular (A.I.M.) approach to certification is the first of its kind in the industry. The system alleviates duplication of effort, by first recognising any existing certifications and mapping them onto the Dashboard before then evaluating any gaps in performance or certification. Putting the emphasis on meeting a required standard instead of who the provider is, makes it a more equitable and accessible model that gives brands and other value chain customers a real methodology for creating strong partnerships with their suppliers both now and into the future. This in turns gives a robust ability to impart verifiable, credible information for consumers to instil trust and confidence in their purchasing decisions.

In addition to the already up and running Tannery Dashboard, SLF are also beginning the work on Dashboards for the Chemical Companies, Machinery Companies, Traders / Agents and Product Manufacturers. Future development will include effluent treatment plants, slaughterhouse/meatpacking facilities and farms.