european union

UNIDO leather LCA guidelines

Published: October 1, 2026

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Guidelines for Assessing the Environmental Footprint of Leather (2026) represents the most comprehensive attempt to date to harmonise Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for leather globally. It does a rather good job of replacing the now expired European Union’s (EU’s) Leather Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) - Category Rules (PEF-CR). Karl Flowers, ILM Consultant Technical Editor, shares insight. Read More...

AEQUALIS4TCLF advances regional skills partnerships

Published: September 25, 2026

The Erasmus+ AEQUALIS4TCLF project has advanced its work to strengthen skills, inclusion and diversity across Europe’s textile, clothing, leather and footwear (TCLF) industries. Read More...

Leather formally excluded from the EUDR

Published: September 16, 2026

The exclusion of hides, skins and leather from the scope of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation-free products (EUDR) is now official. This is a historic moment for the European tanning industry and for the global leather community that lobbied for and supported the case for evidence-based regulation. Read More...

New Cotance leadership: Introducing Edoardo De Paola

Published: June 29, 2026

In April 2026, Edoardo De Paola stepped into the role of Secretary General of Cotance, following his appointment as Deputy Secretary General earlier in the year as part of a broader effort to ensure continuity and stability within the organisation. ILM Editor Megan Thomas sat down with him to learn more about his vision for the future of the leather industry. Read More...

Cotance outlines clear prioritises in Brussels

Published: June 26, 2026

Cotance has outlined its priorities for the European leather sector following a series of meetings in Brussels in June, including the first Steering Committee meeting of the SER2026 project, the annual Social Sectoral Dialogue Committee meeting and its Annual General Assembly. Read More...

Leather scientist addresses EU policymakers

Published: May 21, 2026

Gustavo Adrián Defeo, an Italian-Argentinian leather chemist, addressed policymakers at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today during a discussion on how wool and leather production can contribute positively to the environment. Read More...

EU updates guidance on deforestation-free supply chains

Published: March 31, 2026

The European Commission has published a third edition of the EUDR Supply Chain Infographics: Understanding Your Position in Beef, Cocoa, Coffee, Palm Oil, Rubber, Soy, and Wood Supply Chains, clarifying how the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) applies across commodities. Read More...

AI-driven training for Europe’s leather sector

Published: March 31, 2026

A European initiative aimed at modernising skills in the leather goods industry has reached its conclusion, with partners of the Learning Factories project meeting in Poznań, Poland, for a final review of its outcomes. Read More...

EU industry coalition urges immediate action on e-commerce import rules

Published: March 27, 2026

A coalition of European industry groups is calling on the EU to urgently introduce new rules to hold non-EU e-commerce sellers accountable, warning that current plans to delay reforms until 2028 are too late. Read More...

AEQUALIS4TCLF marks two-year milestone

Published: February 23, 2026

The Erasmus+ Blueprint project AEQUALIS4TCLF, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, marked its second anniversary with a consortium meeting held in early February at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Read More...