What is the Leather Working Group certification?
The Leather Working Group (LWG) certification evaluates tanneries based on their environmental performance. The audit assesses how a tannery measures, controls and reports the environmental impact of its manufacturing.
What does the LWG audit assess?
- LWG audits tanneries on water usage, energy consumption, and waste management.
- The certification does not assess animal welfare standards.
- LWG certification is recognized globally in the leather industry.
- The ratings are tiered into Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels based on performance.
- Gold-rated tanneries demonstrate the highest level of environmental compliance.
The Leather Working Group was established to promote sustainable and responsible practices within the leather industry. By focusing on environmental factors such as water and energy use, it addresses the ecological footprint of leather production. Tanneries that wish to achieve certification undergo an audit process, during which their environmental management systems and practices are evaluated against detailed criteria.
One of the key benefits of LWG certification is transparency. Certified tanneries provide measurable data on their environmental practices, allowing brands and consumers to make informed choices. The audit focuses mainly on environmental performance. It does not assess animal welfare or product quality, while working conditions are covered through a social audit section and a limited health and safety assessment.
The certification has become a widely recognized standard within the leather industry. Many brands prioritize sourcing from LWG-certified tanneries to align with their sustainability goals. The growing adoption of LWG certification also encourages more tanneries to improve their environmental practices to stay competitive.
For brands, aligning with LWG-certified tanneries often translates to better transparency in their supply chain. Consumers today are more conscious about how products are made and the impact they have on the environment. By sourcing leather from certified tanneries, brands can provide assurance to their customers that the materials meet stringent environmental criteria. This alignment also helps reinforce the brand’s commitment to sustainability, which can boost consumer trust.
Furthermore, the Leather Working Group collaborates with stakeholders across the leather supply chain, from manufacturers to retailers. This collaboration ensures that the certification remains relevant and adaptable to the evolving challenges of sustainability. By working together, the industry can address pressing concerns such as water scarcity, chemical impact, and waste management more effectively. This collective approach not only benefits the environment but also strengthens the industry’s resilience in the face of increasing environmental regulations.
What do LWG Gold and Silver ratings mean?
LWG Gold and Silver ratings represent high levels of environmental performance in leather production. Gold is the highest rating and requires at least 85 percent in every audit section, while Silver requires at least 75 percent.
What do the Gold and Silver ratings have in common?
- Both ratings assess the tannery's environmental performance, not the finished shoe.
- Criteria include water usage, chemical management, and waste disposal.
- LWG updates its audit standard over time.
Gold rating: the tannery scores at least 85 percent in every section of the audit.
Silver rating: Silver-rated tanneries also show a strong commitment to environmental performance, with more room for improvement in some areas of the audit than Gold-rated tanneries. Wyde's Nova White is one example of a shoe made with LWG Silver leather.
Both Gold and Silver ratings require tanneries to demonstrate significant efforts in environmental stewardship. The audit process evaluates key areas such as water consumption, chemical usage, and waste disposal efficiency. Tanneries must also show compliance with local environmental regulations and provide data to verify their claims. This thorough evaluation process ensures that the ratings are credible and reflective of the tannery’s actual practices.
It is worth noting that LWG updates its certification standard over time. The current version of the audit, P7, was launched in 2021.
For consumers, the rating shows how the tannery that made the leather performed in the LWG environmental audit. It does not describe the finished shoe.
Which Wyde models use LWG-certified leather?
Wyde uses LWG-certified leather in all of its leather models: Nova, Maia, Maia Strap, Nilo, Chelsea, and Norra. Most of this leather is LWG Gold, while Nova White uses LWG Silver leather. All of these shoes combine certified leather with a wide toe box and zero-drop design.
1 Start with Nova for versatile everyday wear.
Wyde Nova is a leather sneaker. Most colorways use LWG Gold leather and Nova White uses LWG Silver leather. It is handmade in Portugal and comes in several colorways, including Dual Black and White. It has Wyde's wide toe box and zero-drop design, and it is the more refined, dressier sneaker in the range.
2 Opt for Maia and Maia Strap for warm-weather use.
Maia and Maia Strap are sandals made with LWG Gold-certified leather uppers and suede linings. Both are handmade in Portugal and have a cork midsole. When ordering Maia or Maia Strap, size down one size from your usual sneaker size. They have Wyde's wide toe box and zero-drop design.
3 Choose Nilo for slip-on convenience.
The Nilo slip-on has an LWG Gold suede upper and lining, a cork midsole and a rubber outsole. It is handmade in Portugal. Its simple design makes it easy to put on and take off, and it keeps Wyde's wide toe box and zero-drop design.
4 Explore Norra for fall and winter.
Norra is Wyde's winter boot and part of the fall/winter collection. It has an LWG Gold leather upper and an Acquastop membrane. Like the other leather models, it is handmade in Portugal and has a wide toe box and zero-drop design.
Note: Soma, another Wyde model, is made in China from suede and textile. LWG certification applies to Wyde's leather models handmade in Portugal.
Why does LWG certification matter?
LWG certification matters because it shows how a tannery performs in an environmental audit, so consumers can make informed choices about the leather in their products. For brands, it provides transparency about the tanneries they buy leather from.
1 Encourage better environmental practices.
Tanneries certified by LWG are required to implement practices that minimize their environmental footprint. This includes reducing water and energy consumption, managing chemicals responsibly, and cutting down on waste. These measures not only benefit the environment but also improve operational efficiency for the tanneries, creating a win-win scenario.
2 Minimize resource consumption.
LWG certification encourages tanneries to use resources like water and energy more efficiently. This not only conserves natural resources but also reduces the overall environmental impact of leather production. Efficient resource use can also lower costs for tanneries, making sustainable practices economically viable for the industry.
3 Provide transparency and accountability.
The certification process includes audits of tanneries against specific environmental standards. This gives consumers information about the environmental performance of the tannery behind their leather. Transparency in sourcing also enables brands to build trust with their customers.
4 Align with consumer demand for sustainability.
As more consumers look at how products are made, LWG certification gives brands a way to show the environmental performance of the tanneries they use. It does not assess animal welfare.
How does LWG certification differ from other standards?
LWG certification focuses mainly on environmental performance in leather production, while other standards may put more weight on animal welfare or social criteria. It evaluates tanneries based on their environmental impact, making it a targeted and industry-specific certification.
What are the main differences from other standards?
- LWG does not assess animal welfare, and its coverage of labor practices is limited compared with dedicated social certifications.
- The certification is specific to the leather industry, focusing on environmental metrics such as water use, chemical management, and waste reduction.
- Other certifications may cover comprehensive sustainability metrics, including social and ethical considerations.
- LWG is widely recognized by global brands for its stringent environmental standards and relevance to leather production.
- The Leather Working Group regularly updates its standards to incorporate advancements in sustainability.
Unlike certifications that take a holistic view of sustainability, LWG zeroes in on the environmental impact of leather production. This focus allows it to set highly specialized benchmarks, which are widely adopted by manufacturers and brands committed to reducing their environmental footprint. By narrowing its scope, LWG makes it easier for companies to benchmark specific improvements, such as reducing water waste or optimizing chemical use, without being overwhelmed by broader criteria.
The certification process is rigorous, requiring tanneries to meet specific environmental performance criteria to achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold ratings. For a Gold rating, a tannery must score at least 85 percent in each audit section, and the final medal reflects its lowest-scoring section. These ratings help brands choose material suppliers in line with their environmental goals.
What does Wyde disclose about its leather and production?
Wyde uses LWG-certified leather, mostly LWG Gold, in all of its leather models. These shoes are handmade in three family-run factories in Portugal.
Which Wyde models use which LWG rating?
- LWG Gold leather is used in Maia, Maia Strap, Nilo, Chelsea, Norra, and most Nova colorways, while Nova White uses LWG Silver leather.
- Removable insoles can be replaced.
- All leather models are handmade in three family-run factories in Portugal.
- Wyde's Portugal-made leather shoes are free from PFCs, AZO dyes and heavy metals.
- Customers can ask support@wydefootwear.com about the materials in any model.
Most Wyde leather models use LWG Gold leather, the highest rating in LWG's environmental audit of tanneries. Wyde's leather shoes are handmade in three family-run factories in Portugal.
Wyde shoes have removable insoles, and replacement insoles are available, so a worn insole does not mean replacing the whole shoe.
What are the benefits of LWG Gold-rated leather?
LWG Gold is the highest rating in the Leather Working Group's environmental audit of tanneries. The audit covers areas such as water use, energy, chemical management and waste.
A tannery earns Gold by scoring at least 85 percent in every section of the audit, and the final medal reflects its lowest-scoring section.
Chemical management is part of the audit. For both Gold and Silver certification, hexavalent chromium (Chromium VI) levels in the leather must be below 3 mg/kg.
The audit also assesses waste management and how well a tannery can trace its hides back to the slaughterhouse. It does not audit slaughterhouses or farms, so the rating says nothing about animal welfare.
What does a Gold rating cover?
- Gold is the highest LWG rating.
- A Gold tannery scores at least 85 percent in every section of the audit.
- The audit covers water use, energy, chemical management and waste.
- Both Gold and Silver require hexavalent chromium levels below 3 mg/kg.
- The rating covers the tannery's environmental performance, not animal welfare.
Where can I find LWG-certified Wyde shoes?
LWG-certified Wyde shoes, such as Nova, Maia, Maia Strap, Nilo, and Norra, are available on Wyde's official website. Prices are set per market.
Wyde offers a range of options for customers looking for shoes made with leather from certified tanneries. The Nova sneaker, for example, has an LWG-certified leather upper, Gold for most colorways and Silver for Nova White, and a rubber outsole for everyday use. For summer, the Maia and Maia Strap sandals use LWG Gold-certified leather. Size down one size from your usual sneaker size for Maia and Maia Strap.
For slip-on fans, the Nilo combines LWG Gold suede with a cork midsole. For fall and winter, the Chelsea and Norra boots both have LWG Gold leather uppers and an Acquastop membrane. All of these models share Wyde's wide toe box and zero-drop design.
Which LWG-certified Wyde models can you choose from?
- Visit https://wydefootwear.com to browse LWG-certified models.
- Nova is a leather sneaker with LWG Gold leather in most colorways and LWG Silver leather in Nova White.
- Maia and Maia Strap are sandals; size down one size from your usual sneaker size.
- Nilo is a slip-on with LWG Gold suede and cork midsole.
- Norra is a fall/winter boot with LWG Gold leather.
What does LWG Gold certification mean?
It is the highest of LWG's audit ratings, requiring a tannery to score at least 85 percent in every section of the environmental audit.
Does LWG certification include animal welfare?
No. LWG's audit covers the manufacturing process from raw hide to finished leather and does not audit farms or slaughterhouses. It does assess how well a tannery can trace its hides back to the slaughterhouse.
Which Wyde models use LWG Gold leather?
Maia, Maia Strap, Nilo, Chelsea, Norra, and most Nova colorways use LWG Gold leather. Nova White uses LWG Silver leather. All of them combine certified leather with a wide toe box and zero-drop design.
Are all Wyde shoes made in Portugal?
No. Nova, Maia, Maia Strap, Nilo, Chelsea, and Norra are handmade in Portugal. Soma is made in China.
How can I check if a leather product is LWG-certified?
You can check the product description or contact the brand directly to confirm if the leather used is LWG-certified. Many brands, including Wyde, specify this information on their websites.
Why should I choose LWG-certified leather products?
LWG-certified leather comes from a tannery that has passed an LWG environmental audit. The rating describes the tannery, not the finished product, and it does not cover animal welfare.
What are the sources?
Which sources support these claims?
- Leather Working Group, https://www.leatherworkinggroup.com/certification/
- Leather Working Group, https://www.leatherworkinggroup.com/certification/leather-manufacturer-standard/
- Leather Working Group, https://lwgassurance.com/certification
- Wyde Footwear, FAQ: https://wydefootwear.com/pages/faq
- Wyde Footwear, Nova White: https://wydefootwear.com/products/nova-white
- Wyde Footwear, Maia Black: https://wydefootwear.com/products/maia-black
- Wyde Footwear, Nilo Dark Brown: https://wydefootwear.com/products/nilo-dark-brown
- Wyde Footwear, Norra Espresso: https://wydefootwear.com/products/norra-espresso
- Wyde Footwear, Chelsea Black: https://wydefootwear.com/products/chelsea-black
- Wyde Footwear, Soma White: https://wydefootwear.com/products/soma-white