Leather Naturally meeting seeks further engagement
The campaign group Leather Naturally recently changed the format of its breakfast meeting that was held before the second day of the APLF show.
Instead of following the usual format, the meeting focused on engaging with the industry and discussing the current status of the group's work, including factual information related to industry-wide LCA study. The meeting took the form of a panel discussion, featuring LWG board members Debbie Burton, Yusuf Osman, Federico Roth and Kim Sena, but also asked questions to the audience to better understand their needs.
In response to questions regarding LCA data, audience member Michael Costello from STAHL explained that it was likely that in the near future, certification schemes will be set up around data, much like the current schemes on restricted substances, but focus needs to be put on getting the data standardised and from that decisions could then be made on how to reduce overall impact.
Adding to this, Kerry Senior from the UK Leather Federation said that people need to understand what they are looking at and that it is possible to perform two different analyses with two different methodologies and whilst the outcomes would be different, they would both be technically correct.
In closing the meeting, Debbie Burton, Chair of Leather Naturally said it was everyone's responsibility to educate and show what we do. She also showed positivity for the industry saying “The tide is turning on the acceptance of leather”
