UNIDO publishes harmonised LCA framework for leather sector
The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has published new guidelines aimed at standardising how the environmental footprint of leather is calculated, a move intended to improve transparency and comparability across the global industry.
UNIDO is the authoring body behind the framework, with consultancy SPIN 360 serving as the main technical contributor and a broad panel of international experts providing input and review throughout its development.
The document sets out a harmonised methodology for life cycle assessment (LCA) of leather, addressing inconsistencies that have made it difficult to compare environmental data between materials and studies. It identifies eight areas requiring alignment, including system boundaries, allocation rules, data quality and reporting criteria.
A key conclusion is that hides and skins from animals slaughtered for food should be classified as "Non-Determining Animal By-Products", meaning they are not drivers of environmental change within livestock production systems. This supports the sector's position that leather should be assessed as a by-product rather than a primary product.
The framework adopts a "cradle to tannery gate" approach, covering animal farming, slaughtering and tanning operations, while excluding downstream stages such as product use and end-of-life. It also standardises the declared unit at one square metre of leather, or one kilogram for sole leather.
The guidelines provide recommendations on allocation methods and impact assessment metrics, including climate change, water use, toxicity and resource depletion. They also introduce the concept of "environmental amortisation", linking environmental impacts to product durability and performance over time.
UNIDO said the harmonised approach will support more credible environmental claims and aligns with emerging international standards and EU environmental footprint initiatives. The methodology is also intended to be applicable to other bio-based materials, including wool, cotton and silk.
