LWG Leather Working Group: Leather Supply-Chain Audit and Claim Review
LWG supports audit, improvement, and responsible sourcing management in leather supply chains. For footwear, apparel, bag, furniture, and automotive-interior companies, the key is not to present LWG as a universal market approval. The key is to confirm whether specific facilities, materials, purchase batches, and listing claims are within the audit and authorization scope.
Evidence Review Points
| Record | Purpose | Common risk |
|---|---|---|
| Audit scope | Confirm whether the evidence applies to a leather manufacturer, trader, brand, or other supply-chain role | Audit result from one step is expanded beyond covered scope |
| Facility management records | Review permits, environmental management, energy data, and water-use data | Data period, production basis, or facility name is inconsistent |
| Chemical and wastewater files | Support chemical management, wastewater treatment, and discharge monitoring | Inventory, test report, or treatment record cannot be matched to actual production |
| Traceability and supply-chain files | Connect raw-hide source, processing step, purchase batch, and finished-product use | Purchase record cannot be matched to sales product or batch |
| Listing and packaging wording | Confirm authorization for standard name, mark, and claim wording | Claim scope is expanded to uncovered models, materials, or supply-chain steps |
Claim Boundaries
- State whether the claim applies to a facility, material, supplier, or specific product batch.
- Do not expand audit evidence from one facility or supply-chain role beyond the covered scope.
- After supplier, facility, material, or purchase-batch changes, review the evidence chain again.
- E-commerce pages, packaging, hangtags, and advertising assets should use the same authorized expression.
Green Ark's Recommendation
Green Ark (Shenzhen) Certification Co., Ltd. recommends building a checklist that links audit scope, facility files, chemical and wastewater records, traceability files, and listing wording. LWG-related claims are suitable for customer-facing pages only when scope, batch, and authorization records are clear.
