Italian tanning industry association UNIC is working with an IT provider to prepare a platform to help member companies meet the requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). By
Leatherbiz.
It is planning to unveil and demonstrate the new platform at the Lineapelle exhibition in Milan in September. After this, there will be a pilot phase of use, with modifications still possible.
UNIC insisted the platform would be ready for use by the end of 2025, when EUDR comes into effect for larger operators.
Vice-director of the association, Luca Boltri, acknowledged that there are already several platforms available for managing EUDR, but said UNIC had decided to create its own platform to have something designed for, and tailored to, the bovine hide supply chain.
“Our supply chain is one of the most difficult for achieving traceability and geolocalistation [of raw material],” Mr Boltri said. “It has a complexity that must be taken into account.”
He explained that the Italian leather sector was working closely on this with the country’s wood industry, which has been tackling questions around deforestation for a number of years.