Uniting for Truth: Leather is not a driver of deforestation! By COTANCE.

On Nov 13, 2024, the Palais des Nations in Geneva hosted the UNECE: Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6) UNECE/FAO Forests Deforestation-Free Trade Dialogue, bringing together global representatives from sectors impacted by the EUDR. The leather industry, represented by ICT, COTANCE, UNIC – Concerie Italiane & CEC, presented many arguments advocating for the exclusion of leather from the EUDR.

The study by the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna commissioned by UNIC – Concerie Italiane & COTANCE, was also shared, providing scientific evidence that leather production is not linked to deforestation.

“One-quarter of global finished leather sales are Italian. Without leather, hides would simply end up in landfills—how is that good for the environment? Europe’s leather industry stands as the most sustainable worldwide,” – stated Fabrizio Nuti, UNIC President & COTANCE Vice-President, speaking at the UNECE Dialogue.

While the regulation is postponed and the industry prepares for December 2025, we remain confident that leather should be excluded from the EUDR. The UNECE Trade Dialogue has been invaluable in gaining global attention for this critical issue.