News Details

You’re not working with guesses. Every process in your tannery relies on clear inputs and predictable outcomes. So when the LWG decides to sunset Protocol 7 (the backbone of your audit prep), that’s not just a new checklist. That’s a new system. 2026 may sound distant, but audits don’t wait. You’re already standing in the transition zone. Here’s how the new LWG Leather Production Standard changes the game and what you need to do now.

A New Structure Means New Responsibilities:

The new system splits LWG into multiple standards instead of a single protocol. That means your tannery will now need to align with:

● A Leather Production Standard
● A Chain of Custody Standard
● Deforestation Due Diligence tools
● And a Carbon Footprint Calculator

Each of these is independent but interconnected. Instead of one document to interpret, you’ll have several frameworks working together. And because the audit questions now sit in a separate tool, the Standard only outlines the expectations. You’ll need to dig deeper, cross-reference the guidance notes, and understand the logic behind every requirement (without relying on a point-by-point checklist). This shift gives more transparency, but also less hand-holding. It demands stronger internal systems from your side.

Traceability and Chain of Custody Get Real:

Your buyers care where your leather comes from. Under the new LWG system, traceability is no longer a soft scoring area. It’s a technical discipline with its own standalone standard. Chain of Custody (CoC) is becoming its own audit. It focuses on how well you segregate, track, and document certified leather from input to output. That includes subcontractors, mixing points, and even storage. Every link in the chain must stay clean. If one piece breaks, your entire claim can become invalid. You’ll need to show who handled what, when, and where—backed with verifiable records. This forces real traceability into daily operations. For tanneries relying on complex sourcing, this might mean restructuring how you log inventory, process material, or issue sales documents. Our team works with you to align your process flow with CoC logic, so audit day reflects your real practice, not just paperwork.

Environmental Expectations Expand in Every Direction:

The new Standard looks at your tannery’s footprint from top to bottom. It breaks out sections for:
● Water abstraction and wastewater
● Chemical inventory and disposal
● Energy usage per square meter of leather
● Air emissions, including VOCs
● Salt management in effluent
● On-site safety protocols, including H₂S controls

None of this is surface-level. You’ll need metering systems that separate incoming water from recirculated water. You’ll need emission logs that tie to actual stack output. Even your PPE policy ties back into audit readiness. This is where compliance becomes operational. Passing the audit now depends on whether your team tracks, reports, and responds — not just whether you fixed something right before inspection. We help map your process against every LWG environmental clause. That includes building internal controls so you catch gaps before the auditor does.

Social Responsibility Is No Longer Optional:

In Protocol 7, social audits were part of the score, but not mandatory. That’s changing. The upcoming version makes labor and worker rights part of the critical path. Miss the mark here, and your rating takes a hit. What’s new is the expectation of proportionality. That means a small family-run tannery and a multinational plant won’t be judged the same way, but both must show systems. You’ll need to show that your policies cover fair wages, safe conditions, grievance handling, and worker protections. The new rules also increase the weight of subcontractor practices. If you outsource dangerous or labor-intensive work, your audit score still reflects that. It’s now on you to ensure that third-party operators meet the same social standards. We support clients with integrated audits (combining LWG and social standards), so you can streamline preparation and build credibility across both tracks.

Due Diligence Becomes Proof, Not Promise:

The word “due diligence” used to mean intention. Now, it means action. The new LWG Standard asks you to identify risks in your supply chain (especially deforestation-related ones) and document how you handle them. This aligns with upcoming regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Auditors will expect evidence that you’ve followed frameworks like the OECD-FAO guidance for agricultural chains. This marks a shift toward policy maturity. You’ll need internal controls, staff roles, and data trails to support your claims. That includes how you select suppliers, what tools you use to assess them, and how often you revisit that analysis. We help build these systems into your daily operations. That way, when an auditor asks for your deforestation risk file, you’re not scrambling… You’re ready!

Final Thoughts:

The LWG shift is more than a format change. It’s a deeper reset that expects your tannery to think systemically, act accountably, and show real-world evidence. The team at Quantum Systems Management Pvt. Ltd is already guiding facilities through this transition. From mapping your chemical inventory to aligning your audit calendar, we’ve designed our support to fit the new Standard’s depth. Our work stays practical, grounded, and built around your actual processes. That’s how we help tanneries stay ahead of the audit. Get in touch with us to learn more.