SLF completes first ESG audit for leather chemicals supplier
The Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) has completed its first Environmental, Social and Governance audit for a leather chemical company, following an assessment at Rolfes Leather in Boksburg, South Africa.
The audit extends SLF’s ESG framework beyond tanneries and manufacturers to include upstream suppliers. Development of the adapted methodology began in January 2022, with input from chemical companies including Silvateam, Leder Chimica and Royal Smit & Zoon.
Founder and managing director Deborah Taylor, Sustainable Leather Foundation, said it was a “meaningful step forward” in the evolution of SLF standards. Managing director Quintin Marais, Rolfes Leather, described the milestone as “a sustainable future” achievement.
SLF said the audit confirms the applicability of its standards to chemical production and supports greater transparency across the leather value chain. The organisation plans to expand the programme to additional chemical suppliers and continue refining its certification framework.
