The highest level of certification for sustainable leather production in Brazil was granted to Courovale, from Portão (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). The tannery is certified with the Diamond seal by the Brazilian Leather Sustainability Certification (CSCB). It met 100% of the criteria and indicators of the ABNT NBR 16296 Standard, being audited by an organization accredited by INMETRO. This is a milestone for the sector which demonstrates the continuous evolution of the industry (Courovale had had the Gold seal since 2018) and how it has added value to the environment, economy, and society in the production of leather in the country.
The CSCB has guided Courovale’s processes within the best industrial practices, supporting it in the journey toward sustainability and improvement of operational and management stages. The company's administrative manager, Solange Pauletti, has pointed out that the Diamond seal confirms the organization's alignment on the path to sustainability. "This achievement strengthens our credibility with the national and international markets. It also reiterates how certain we feel about having fulfilled our duties and being recognized for our dedication," she says, together with Rafael Emílio Collet, director, and Verônica Meurer, commercial manager.
For the next years audits, evaluations, and recertifications have been scheduled in the company so it can maintain the Diamond seal. This process includes analyses and recording of ideas and suggestions that can inspire the entire sector – especially at a time like this when people are so open to innovations, behaviors in society are changing, and there is the option for increasingly sustainable products.
The CSCB
The Brazilian Leather Sustainability Certification (CSCB) was created by the sub-sectors that constitute the Brazilian leather industry and is supported by the Brazilian Leather project – a partnership between the CICB and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) to encourage the exports of Brazilian leather to the foreign market. The CSCB promotes and recognizes the best practices of tanneries regarding economic results, reduction of environmental impact, and relationships with employees and communities. There are more than 100 requirements that the companies must fulfill to be certified by the CSCB, such as:
- reduction of water consumption
- reduction of energy consumption
- product quality control
- raw material origin
- restricted substances
- worker health and safety
How to obtain the certification
After becoming members of the CICB, the companies undergo training and work with a consultant, who instructs them and verifies the fulfillment and continuity of each indicator. By completing this stage, the tannery can request an audit from an organization accredited by INMETRO for the certification. There are four levels of the seal:
- Bronze (for those companies that meet up to 50% of the applicable requirements for each of the four dimensions of the certification)
- Silver (75%)
- Gold (90%)
- Diamond (100%).
