On May 4, 2026, the European Commission proposed excluding hides, skins and leather from the scope of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 through a Draft Delegated Act amending Annex I. The targeted amendment allows the Commission to adjust the product scope of the EUDR without reopening the core legal text and is expected to enter into force following a four-week public consultation period.
The proposal has been welcomed by Cotance, which has long argued against leather’s inclusion in the EUDR, maintaining that it was not supported by a dedicated impact assessment thus risked disproportionate regulatory burdens on the sector. Manuel Rios, President of Cotance, said: “Today’s European Commission saved more 30,000 jobs across European tanneries and sent a clear signal to the world: the leather industry is not a problem to be regulated away — it is a solution to be invested in.”
According to industry experts, the decision reflects a broader principle that regulation should be proportionate and evidence-based. Cotance has continuously emphasised that leather production does not influence land-use decisions, as it relies on raw materials generated as a secondary output of livestock farming. Removing leather from the EUDR scope is positioned as a correction that aligns the regulation more closely with its environmental objectives.
This position is supported by recent academic research. A study conducted by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies at the University of Pisa, drawing on extensive datasets and stakeholder input, found no scientific evidence linking leather production to deforestation. Complementary research from Montana State University similarly concluded that demand for leather does not affect cattle farming levels, reinforcing the view that leather and beef operate as distinct economic drivers.
Industry stakeholders have also highlighted the potential unintended consequences of retaining leather within the EUDR. These include disruption to global supply chains, increased compliance costs, and the risk of shifting production to regions with weaker environmental standards. These outcomes could ultimately undermine the regulation’s goals rather than support them.
The proposal follows a coordinated advocacy effort, with global organisations such as Cotance, UNIC and ICT dedicating time and resource to ensure this outcome. Across platforms, there has been an echoing metaphorical sigh of relief. That said, at the time of writing, the decision pends on the aforementioned public consultation period, which ends on June 1, but all indicators suggest leather will be removed.
Despite the proposed exclusion, the leather industry has been clear that its commitment to sustainability and traceability remains unchanged. Cotance continues to support initiatives such as the EN 18199 Leather Traceability Cluster standard and wider investment in traceability systems, aimed at improving transparency across the supply chain.
More broadly, European tanners emphasise that they operate under some of the most stringent environmental and social standards globally, and that removing leather from the EUDR does not diminish the sector’s responsibility to ensure sustainable sourcing and production practices.
