The agreement signed between UNIC (Italian Tanner’s Association), ICEC (Italian Quality Certification Institute for the Leather sector) and the World Wildlife Fund encompasses the will to strengthen the position of the Italian leather industry as a sustainability leader in the leather marketplace while implementing new strategies to improve environmental performances. Concern over deforestation, traceability of raw materials and water management is at the core of the partnership. To achieve their goals, the partners intend to help companies speaking with all involved parties, from non-for-profits to the academic world, via both the public segment and financial institutions. Paola Arosio, from ICEC, believes that “creating a system and putting different skills and knowledge together is fundamental to implement sustainability for the benefit of the whole planet”.

“Sustainability has always been a key issue for the Italian tanning sector. (…) UNIC actively supports Italian tanneries in these challenges and the partnership with WWF, one of the most important environmental organizations worldwide. It will certainly strengthen the development of strategies, activities and tools that can furtherly guarantee our high level of commitment on this concern”, declared Fabrizio Nuti, President of UNIC. 

WWF is also confident about this collaboration. Mauricio S. Bauer, from WWF USA, commented that “The Italian leather sector is perfectly positioned to continue their contribution to global leather sustainability, especially when it comes to sourcing criteria of bovine hides and skins, decoupling tropical deforestation from leather supply chains. Italian leather companies provide a fundamental leverage in transforming the cattle sector in threatened geographies and WWF believes this collaboration with UNIC and ICEC is a new important chapter in this journey.” 

The Italian Tanner’s Association represents and protects the Italian tanning sector since 1946. UNIC also promotes initiatives in the economic, technical and scientific fields to boost innovation, enhancing its social and environmental role, both at national and international levels. The Italian tanning sector is made up of 1200 companies that employ almost 18 000 workers. 

ICEC, the Italian Quality Certification Institute for the Leather sector, is the only Certification Institute specialized in the leather sector. Established in 1994, it has among its members the Italian Associations of footwear, leather goods, leather accessories and components, manufacturers, chemical producers, CNR, ENEA, AICQ, SSIP and the Italian Ministry of economic development.