In 2016 JBS Couros – an important leather processing industry – sought the Brazilian Leather Certification of Sustainability (CSCB), working on the 173 indicators of norm ABNT 16.296 in one of its production units. Now, they are looking to integrate the certification program into all their units in Brazil. "JBS' commitment is to have all their operations certified", highlights the official note sent out by the company in regard to this news. The CSCB has the support of Brazilian Leather, a project that stimulates exports of Brazilian leathers and hides and is developed by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CSCB) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil).
See the JBS Couros official note regarding adhesion to the CSCB in its entirety:
"JBS reinforces its partnership with the CSCB and recognizes that it's an important step for having a national identity with respect to sustainability. To start, the Marabá unit will be the first one certified from JBS Couros. JBS' commitment is to have all its operations certified.
This is an important recognition of the relevance that both the CICB and the CSCB have for the Brazilian national industry.
JBS believes that CSCB certification is a positive action not only in helping the company to continually improve its processes, but also for creating parameters of improvement for the sector as a whole, aligned with market trends. CSCB also adds other factors of extreme importance that are related to sustainability, like social issues which are generally not part of environmental certifications.”
About CSCB: For certification, each tannery in the program must undergo a preparation phase in which it works on indicators established by the norm "ABNT NBR 16.296 - Leathers - Principles, criterion, and indicators for sustainable production”. Next they can solicit an audit by an organization accredited by Inmetro for certification. There are four levels: Bronze (for those that meet 50% of the applicable indicators in each of the four dimensions of certification), Silver (75%), Gold (90%), and Diamond (100%). Two Brazilian tanneries have already been certified: Fuga Couros (Silver) and Courovale by BCM (Gold).
About Brazilian Leather - As a leather sector nternationalization project, Brazilian Leather is conducted by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) in partnership with Apex-Brasil (the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency). There are numerous strategies for consolidating national leathers and hides in foreign markets - encouraging the participation of tanneries in the principle global trade fairs and business missions focused on closer relations between Brazilian suppliers and buyers from other countries are but two of them. More information at www.brazilianleather.com.br
