FLA, Impactt release new study on labor conditions in leather supply chains

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2025 — The Fair Labor Association (FLA), in collaboration with human rights consultancy Impactt, today released a new report designed to generate dialogue on effective approaches to promoting human rights and decent working conditions in the leather supply chain.

Findings from the report, which presents an overview of Brazil’s leather industry in the context of global leather supply chains, indicate areas of concern including a lack of transparency between farms, slaughterhouses, and tanneries; documented human rights risks at every level of the leather supply chain; certification schemes that do not cover the tiers of the leather supply chain where such labor rights violations are most likely to occur; and a lack of structured collaboration between the apparel/footwear and meat packaging industries to establish traceability or conduct human rights due diligence.

The report recommends four strategies that companies can adopt to enhance traceability and develop more effective social and environmental parameters for the leather upstream supply chain, along with suggested concrete actions.

“By illuminating challenges in upstream supply chains for commodities like leather, we aim to drive accountability and inspire collective actions toward a more equitable industry,” said Richa Mittal, executive vice president and chief innovation officer at FLA. “This will help ensure dignity and respect for all workers at all levels of a company’s global supply chain – not just Tier One.”

“This report brings much-needed attention to the parts of the leather supply chain where risks to workers are highest — and visibility is lowest,” said Raquel Fisch, principal consultant at Impactt. “This research shows that workers on farms, in slaughterhouses, and in tanneries often face harsh conditions with little oversight or recourse. Yet these tiers are rarely covered by human rights due diligence. This report offers a valuable roadmap for companies to build traceability and accountability upstream, and to design systems that start with the realities of the workers most affected.”

On Wednesday, May 28, FLA and Impactt will host a public webinar to review the findings of the report, which highlights FLA’s expanding focus on supporting labor rights in upstream supply chains, including not only leather but also commodities such as cotton, fragrance, and food.

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The Fair Labor Association (FLA) promotes human rights at work. We are an international network of companies, universities, and civil society organizations collaborating to ensure that millions of people working at the world’s factories and farms are paid fairly and protected from risks to their health, safety, and well-being.

Impactt was founded in the UK in 1997 and is a leading employee-owned consultancy that specialises in ethical trade and human rights. We have a comprehensive understanding of key and emerging issues which enables us to build sustainable, transformative solutions for businesses as well as workers. As a longstanding innovator, we leverage new possibilities through collaboration and cross-learning, pushing the sector to go further, faster.

FLA CONTACT:
Stacy Hope
communications@fairlabor.org

IMPACTT CONTACT:
Robin Bishop
robin@impacttlimited.com