ISA Nextgen launches new hide sourcing policy
Tannery group ISA has recently announced the launch of a new hide sourcing policy that aligns with the EUDR regulations set to come into force at the end of the year.
In a statement, the company said that preserving natural ecosystems is crucial for biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. ISA acknowledges the risks associated with cattle hide sourcing, including deforestation and human rights issues. It’s policy commits to establishing deforestation-free supply chains and aligns with industry standards like the Accountability Framework Initiative (AFI) and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). It applies to all wet blue producers and suppliers, ensuring accountability throughout the supply chain.
The launch of the new hide sourcing policy, developed with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Centre for Sustainability and SAGE, sets a "pioneering standard".
Integrated into the LITE Sourcing system, it mandates sourcing bovine hides only from deforestation-free ranches in the Brazilian Amazon biome. Suppliers must provide transparent documentation, ensuring responsible practices. The commitment extends to promoting ethical standards, including sustainable farming and ranching practices, and setting science-based sustainability objectives for a more accountable and transparent supply chain, starting in 2024.
The full wording of the policy can be found here
