Responsible management of Clarks’ leather supply chain



Clarks regards climate change as a most significant issue and we are working hard across our global business to reduce our overall environmental impact, as part of our commitment to sustainable business practices in our own operations and our supply chain.

A recent report by Greenpeace highlighted the environmental impact of the increasing level of deforestation in the Amazon rainforests. Clarks shares the concerns expressed by Greenpeace and others regarding the environmental impact of the leather industry on the Amazon rainforest and the subsequent effect on biodiversity and climate change.

Clarks is committed to encouraging leather suppliers to take a proactive stance in supporting effective measures that help tackle climate change and protect the environment. Accordingly, Clarks' policy is that we will not use leather in products produced from cattle raised in the Amazon Biome.

We will require all suppliers of Brazilian leather to certify formally that they are supplying leather for Clarks' products not from recently deforested areas. They have until July 1st 2010 to create a properly traceable and transparent system to provide credible assurances in this regard.

We will review these suppliers’ progress in establishing such a system but if, after July 1st 2010, suppliers are unable to provide credible assurances that leather used for Clarks products is not from cattle raised in recently deforested areas, Clarks will consider further measures to implement this policy.

To this end Clarks commits to the principles of what is known as the ‘Commit or Cancel’ policy and will work with NGOs, the Leather Working Group and specialist agencies with the ultimate aim of ensuring zero deforestation in the rainforest.




The LWG supports hide traceability systems in Brazil



The Leather Working Group (LWG) has been working closely with Greenpeace and other NGO's in support of their camp[align to eliminate deforestation in Brazil caused by cattle ranching. The LWG recognises the importance of leather as a co-product of the meat industry and as a consequence has now included a section on hide traceability within its latest environmental stewardship document due to be launched later this year.

As many of the brands within the LWG, the adidas-group, Clarks INternational Ltd, New Balance Athletic Shoe INc, Nike Inc, Puma, The Timberland Company, work with suppliers (i.e. leather tanneries) that are assessed using the LWG environmental stewardship protocol this will ultimately ensure that the origin of the materials within their supply chain is known and traceable back to the meat packing plant where the hides originated. A number of the LWG member brands have shown early and active support of Greenpeace's "commit or Cancel" policy, which states that purchasing contracts will be cancelled if suppliers of leather products cannot meet the stated sourcing requirements.

To ensure that the Leather Working Group traceability system is effective beyond the meat packing plant it is essential that the major packers JBS S.A., Marfrig Alimentos S.A., and Minerva S.A. obtain confirmation that all direct suppliers have registered their farms using geographically-referenced polygons by the extended deadline of November 13, 2010. By July 5, 2010 as an interim step, the meat packing companies must obtain confirmation that all direct suppliers have registered their farms using at least one geographically-referenced point. the LWG brands urge immediate and positive action to get this task done as an urgent priority.

Acknowledging the important role of the Brazilian government in protecting the Amazon rainforest, members of the LWG encourage governmental and local authorities in Brazil to continue in their efforts to provide clear legal guidance and an effective enforcement process.

27 April 2010