Assurance
Driving Consistency,
Credibility, and Trust
The LWG AS assurance process delivers credible, consistent certification aligned with Leather Working Group Standards. We are committed to upholding the highest levels of quality and impartiality across audit, evaluation, and certification.
Assurance Process – Step by Step Guide
Check you are eligible & ready
Head over to the LWG website to review the Tannery of the Future document which could help you to understand your readiness for an audit.
Apply to LWG AS
Complete the application form, which gathers information about your site to determine the appropriate audit scope and fees.
Review and Sign the Certification Agreement
After reviewing your application, LWG AS will issue a certification agreement detailing the terms and conditions. Upon signing the agreement and paying the initial fee, you'll receive access to the LWG audit platform.
Auditor Allocation & Scheduling
LWG AS will assign a qualified auditor or audit team aiming for the most appropriate dates for your facility.
Audit Preparation
The auditor will contact you to share with you the audit plan for their upcoming visit. The plan will include a site tour, documentation review, completion of the protocol, interviews with staff and stakeholders, and a final closing meeting.
You may be required to submit some pre-audit information to enable the auditor to prepare.
You may be required to submit some pre-audit information to enable the auditor to prepare.
Audit Execution
The audit will be conducted on-site according to the agreed plan. The auditor will upload findings and supporting evidence to LWG AS.
Technical Review by LWG AS
The audit will go through a series of assurance checks by the audit administration team followed by the independent technical assurance review team, before a final certification check from LWG AS. During this period, you may be required to provide clarifications or additional evidence to ensure the audit complies with procedural and technical standards.
Certification Decision
Based on the completed audit and assurance checks, LWG AS will make a certification decision. This will include determination of the medal rating, if applicable.
Receive Certification
If successful, you’ll be issued an LWG certificate and audit report. Your site will also be listed on the LWG website.
Our Commitment
Impartiality
Certification decisions are made independently and free from influence, with governance structures in place to safeguard objectivity throughout the assessment process.
Competence
All personnel involved in auditing and technical review are qualified, trained, and monitored to ensure evaluations are carried out with accuracy, consistency, and expert technical knowledge of the leather sector.
Consistency
Our certification process follows documented procedures that ensure reliable outcomes across all assessments, regardless of location or facility type.
Confidentiality
We treat all information obtained during the certification process with strict confidentiality, in line with professional and legal requirements.
Accountability
We take full responsibility for all activities under our certification system, from initial assessment to surveillance and recertification, ensuring traceability and oversight at every stage.
Improvement
Our assurance framework has been designed to uphold the integrity of claims made under certification, support continual improvement in the leather industry, and reinforce confidence in the outcomes of our certification system.
Get in Touch
For general information and enquiries, you can contact us using the form.Other enquiries
We welcome all feedback, and we carefully investigate any information we receive. All information is kept strictly confidential, and all sources are protected.Please use the relevant link below.