As markets have become more global, and consumers more aware—if not concerned—about how the products they buy are produced, it is only natural that COTANCE has been closely involved with European Trade Union Federation to ensure that the leather sector understands what is required of it in terms of CSR (corporate social responsibility). To this end, COTANCE and the ETUF:TCL (textile, clothing, leather) agreed to set up a project following the objectives of the EU Lisbon summit in 2000. The prime objective was to help companies understand and implement the code, based on the core labour standards of the ILO. 

The other partners in the project were Stichting Social Accountability International, the international organization that created the SA 8000 global social standard and Nyenrode University, which has specialised in research and analysis of the social responsibility code. Ten European tanners and various representatives of leather and tanning trade unions in the five EU countries participated in the project, which took the form of a series of training sessions held in Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.

One of the main results has been the creation of a ‘Toolbox’ to be distributed to tanneries in Europe (both for management and employees), containing a presentation of the European leather industry, the Cotance/ETUF :TCL code of conduct, a questionnaire for evaluating social standards, a document explaining SA 8000, as well as the ILO conventions. A final project meeting was held in Brussels in early May at which the partners and participants reported their conclusions regarding the achievements and usefulness of the experience. Mr Janssen (DG Employment and Social Affairs, European Commission) praised the commitment made by COTANCE and ETUF :TCL, and the fact that the social partners were working together on difficult and essential issues.  He promised that the EC and public authorities would continue to support such efforts—interestingly, this joint project is the first of its kind in the EU.

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