Leather Working Group is working to drive measurable change through the LWG Audit Standards.
LWG Audit Standards are designed to provide transparency and accountability within the leather supply chain. Our flagship audit standard, the LWG Leather Manufacturer Audit was first launched in 2005. Since then, we've launched additional audit standards to engage different actors in the leather value chain and deliver maximum impact.
LWG Leather Manufacturer Audit
Launched in 2005, our flagship audit assesses the environmental performance and compliance of leather manufacturing facilities. This standard is used to assess leather manufacturers on the following aspects:
- Water & Energy Usage
- Waste & Effluent Management
- Air & Noise Emissions
- Traceability
- Health & Safety
- Chemical Management
- Restricted Substances and MRSL Compliance
Version 7 of the LWG Leather Manufacturer Audit Standard (P7) was launched in early 2021, introducing some major changes to how we assess leather manufacturers for a more thorough understanding of their environmental performance.
LWG Trader Audit Standard
Available since 2016, the LWG Trader Audit assesses traders of raw and part-processed material, as well as finished leather. The standard helps to facilitate traceability through the complex leather supply chain.
LWG Subcontractor Audit Standard
Introduced in 2020, the LWG Subcontractor Audit Standard assesses the environmental performance of manufacturers completing work on a subcontract basis on behalf of other organisations that own the material. The results of the Sub Contractor Audit are then used in the audit of their clients.
LWG Commissioning Manufacturer Audit Standard
Launched alongside the subcontractor audit in 2020, the LWG Commissioning Manufacturer Audit assesses the performance of companies that buy raw or part-processsed material and commission subcontractors to perform all manufacturing operations on the material to produce finished leather. These companies buy their own material for processing, but do not complete any operations themselves, instead using one or more subcontractors that have been audited against the LWG Sub Contractor Audit Standard.