THE SUSTAINABLE LEATHER FORUM 2023, Dedicated To CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

USPA NEWS - The Sustainable Leather Forum (SLF) is the First International Event dedicated to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) in the Leather Industries. Held in the Heart of Paris, France, it gathers more than 400 International Participants: Businesses operating in the Sector, Major Fashion and Design Corporations, SMEs, Micro-Businesses, Mid-Sized Companies, Institutional Bodies, Opinion Leaders and Consultancies – to focus on Social, Environmental and Economic Issues...

The Sustainable Leather Forum (SLF) is the First International Event dedicated to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) in the Leather Industries. Held in the Heart of Paris, France, it gathers more than 400 International Participants: Businesses operating in the Sector, Major Fashion and Design Corporations, SMEs, Micro-Businesses, Mid-Sized Companies, Institutional Bodies, Opinion Leaders and Consultancies – to focus on Social, Environmental and Economic Issues...

As a Unique Platform for sharing the CSR Best Practices of the Leather Industries Sector and its Ecosystem, the SLF is an Invaluable Source of Key Information to help shape the CSR Strategy of Companies and support them in their Transformation.

- Some of The Themes discussed during the Event (Round Tables & Keynotes)

* Round Table 1 - In what ways do Certification Standards contribute to improving Traceability and Processes in the Leather Industry?

When it comes to implementing Corporate Social Responsibility, the Stakeholders all along the Supply Chain, from the Upstream Players through to those making the Products, now have Access to Several Certification Standards and Best Practice Guides produced by Institutions or Private Organisations.

How do these Tools benefit Livestock Farmers, Tanneries and Hides and Skins Traders, for example? How do they effectively contribute to improving Process Quality and achieving a Greater Degree of Traceability? Do these Certifications help to advance B2B Relations? Are Information-Hungry B2C Consumers aware of the Existence of these Quality Standards and do they see their Value?

* Round Table 2 - What Impacts does the Emergence of New Approaches to Agriculture and Livestock Farming have on Raw Materials?

A Circular Economy requires us to take a Close Look at the Raw Materials used, particularly those derived from Crude Oil, such as Polyester and Plastics, whose significant Environmental Impacts are now Well-Known. Most of the other Raw Materials used in Fashion come from either the Plant World (Cotton and Linen, for example) or the Animal World (e.g. Wool and Leather). Their impact is the Subject of Debate and Research at the Industrial Level, but what about Innovation in the World of Agriculture?

At a time when the Limits of Conventional Farming were presented at COP21 and more recently taken up in European Climate Policies, how Relevant and Effective are New Approaches, such as Regenerative Agriculture, in Agriculture and particularly in Livestock Farming? How do these Farming Methods highlight their Impact on Animal Welfare, for example, or on the Carbon Footprint or Species Conservation?

Do they offer a Different Solution to Environmental Issues, particularly those relating to Water, Air, Soil, Biodiversity and Climate Change? We will be presenting a Few Innovative Approaches that add Value and enable the Users of Natural Raw Materials to partly address Fashion-Related Environmental Challenges, while highlighting their Limitations.

* Round Table 3: In what Ways are the Personal Protective Equipment Sectors, and more particularly the Safety Footwear and Protective Glove Sectors, Pioneers in CSR?

Panel speakers
Gustavo GONZALEZ QUIJANO, General Secretary, COTANCE
Grégoire BIASINI, Communication Officer, International Crocodilians Farmers Association (ICFA)
Nicholas BUTLER, Manager, C.O.V.I.C.O
Sabrina FRONTINI, Director, ICEC
Katie KUTSKILL, Technical Director, Sustainable Leather Foundation

* Round Table 4 - A Key Element in implementing Circular Fashion: the Maintenance and Repair of Footwear, Gloves and Leather Goods

Circular Fashion can seem like an Abstract Concept. This Professions have always been involved in the Circular Economy, first with Leather, the very first Upcycled Material, and then with Shoes and Leather Goods, which were often designed to be both maintained and repaired.

In addition to looking at Maintenance and Repair, we'll be discussing the Environmental Impact and the Durability of Materials and Products, Conditions which are Essential to the Successful Implementation of a Circular Economy. Given how the Repair Market is evolving, is it Safe to say that it's becoming Fashionable once again?

Panel speakers

Josselin ANDURAND, Responsable for Carbon and Biodiversity, IDELE
Megan MEIKLEJOHN, SVP, Supply Chain Innovation, Land to Market
Christophe BOCQUET, Quality Director, Compliance, SAV & RSE, Chloé
Aurélie TRUFFAT,Marketing and Communication Department Manager, Demeter
Paul LUU, Executive Secretary 4p1000

What are Consumers' Expectations, particularly with regard to New Uses and to Products such as Sneakers? What is the Government doing to support this Change? The Guests, who have all integrated a Circular Economy Approach in their Business Model, whether in Product Manufacturing or Repair, attempt to answer these Questions.

* Keynote speeches
---) "Agriculture, Soil and Climate Change: Prospects and Solutions"
Paul LUU, Executive Secretary, 4p1000

---) By Zadig & Voltaire
Hélène JESSUA, Global Sustainability Director, Zadig & Voltaire
Hélène Billard, Head of Accessories Marketing, Zadig & Voltaire
Stéphane Piot, Co-founder and consultant, Pando Fashion

---) "Cradle to Cradle Certified, a Pathway to Circularity in the Fashion Industry"
Nienke Steen, Lead Apparel, Textiles and Footwear, Cradle to Cradle Certified

Source: The Sustainable Leather Forum 2023
International Event dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility in the Leather Industries.
@ Palais Brongniart in Paris
On September 11, 2023

Ruby BIRD
http://www.portfolio.uspa24.com/
Yasmina BEDDOU
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