The Standards Behind Our Leather

At Alterre, our commitment to ethical and more sustainable manufacturing is woven into the foundation of our designs. We believe that creating more responsibly begins with working alongside producers who are committed to improving their environmental and social practices, and who are willing to have those efforts independently audited and verified.

That is why we are proud to source leather from tanneries that have achieved Gold certification through the Leather Working Group (LWG), the highest rating within its tannery audit system. LWG audits assess a range of manufacturing practices, including water and energy use, chemical management, waste management, traceability, and environmental performance. For us, moving toward a more responsible future means looking closely at every step of the process. Working with LWG Gold-rated tanneries is one of the ways we are taking that step, putting our best foot forward as we continue to explore more thoughtful ways of making fashion.

What is the Leather Working Group?

The Leather Working Group (LWG) is an international, multi-stakeholder nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering more responsible and environmentally conscious leather manufacturing. The organization has developed a comprehensive set of auditing standards for leather manufacturers, with its audits covering approximately one-third of global leather production.

LWG’s mission is centered on driving continuous improvement across the leather industry and encouraging more responsible approaches to how leather is sourced, manufactured, and used. Its community brings together brands, leather manufacturers, industry suppliers, and affiliated organizations, creating a collaborative approach to addressing environmental and social challenges across the supply chain. Today, the Leather Working Group has certified more than 2,200 suppliers across over 60 countries worldwide, helping create greater transparency and accountability throughout the global leather industry.

The LWG Auditing Process

The Leather Working Group’s auditing process is thorough and comprehensive, assessing key aspects of leather manufacturing from raw material sourcing through the production of finished leather. Once awarded, an LWG certification is valid for two years, after which the manufacturer must undergo the recertification process to maintain its status.

The LWG audit framework is continually evolving to reflect developments in the leather industry, environmental practices, and broader sustainability standards. More recent versions of the audit have also expanded their focus to include social responsibility, recognizing that a comprehensive approach to sustainability must consider not only environmental performance, but also the people and communities involved in manufacturing.

Based on their audit performance, manufacturers can receive Bronze, Silver, or Gold ratings, with Gold representing the highest rating within the LWG audit system. The audit evaluates manufacturers across 17 separate sections, covering a range of environmental, social, and operational practices.

The 17 sections of the LWG Audit are:

1. General Facility Details
2. Subcontracted Operations
3. Social Audit
4. Operating Permits
5. Production Data
6. Incoming Material Traceability
7. Outgoing Material Traceability
8. Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
9. Restricted Substances, Compliance, and Chromium VI (CrVI) Management
10. Energy Consumption
11. Water Usage
12. Air & Noise Emissions
13. Waste Management
14. Effluent Treatment
15. Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness
16. Chemical Management
17. Operations Management

Alterre's LWG Gold Standard Leather Sourcing

At Alterre, we source leather from tanneries that have achieved Gold status through the Leather Working Group (LWG), the highest rating within the LWG audit system. This means our leather suppliers have undergone LWG’s independent auditing process and demonstrated strong performance across a range of environmental, social, and manufacturing practices.

We intentionally partner with tanneries that prioritize transparency and can provide evidence of responsible leather sourcing and more sustainable manufacturing and processing practices. For us, responsible sourcing means looking beyond the finished product and considering the processes and partnerships behind every pair of shoes.

Sustainability is one of Alterre’s core values, and partnering with manufacturers who share our commitment to more responsible production is an important part of putting that value into practice. By sourcing leather from LWG Gold-rated tanneries, we are taking another step toward creating shoes that bring together thoughtful production, enduring style, and a more considered approach to fashion.