The secretary of the International Council of Tanners, Dr Kerry Senior, has welcomed confirmation that the three executive bodies of the European Union have now agreed to a proposal to delay the application of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months. By Leatherbiz.

He said the decision was sensible and would allow time for the industry to prepare for the new traceability requirements and for the authorities to put the necessary reporting systems and country risk categories in place.

But he added that a review of EUDR would conclude in June 2025, six months before the new date of application, and that the industry would now have time to argue for the removal of leather from the scope of the regulation.

“As has been comprehensively demonstrated, leather is not a driver of deforestation,” Dr Senior said. “Regulating leather will not reduce deforestation but it would have significant negative social, economic and environmental impacts. Taking leather out of the regulation is the only objective choice.”