What is LWG Assurance Services?
LWG Assurance Services (LWG AS) is a not-for-profit entity that was created to provide audit services aimed at leather manufacturing facilities seeking certification to the Leather Working Group Standards. Learn more here.
Is LWG AS part of Leather Working Group?
No. LWG AS is an independent certification and assurance partner delivering audits to the Leather Working Group Standards. It is a separate legal entity from Leather Working Group.
Why has LWG AS been created?
The objective of LWG AS is to maintain the highest standards of consistency, transparency, impartiality, and trust in support of Leather Working Group Standards. As an independent entity, LWG AS can deliver impartial and consistent certification services.
What is changing?
Audits are booked directly with LWG AS, instead of with auditors. LWG AS will assign auditors to tanneries, oversee the peer review process, manage contracts, payments and travel arrangements as well as determining and issuing certification, and providing feedback to Leather Working Group. It will also deal with violations, grievances, and appeals.
What are the benefits of LWG AS?
LWG AS provides one point of contact for LWG certification, greater availability of auditors, transparent audit fees, and consistency of audits. It also allows for alignment with ISO 17065.
LWG AS builds on existing knowledge and expertise, providing public-facing governance and policies, as well as independent violation and grievance processes.
How do we book audits?
All audits need to be applied for via LWG Assurance Services here.
Can audits still be booked directly with auditors?
No. All audits need to be applied for via LWG Assurance Services here.
Is it possible to nominate an auditor?
No. To ensure impartiality and managed auditor rotation, LWG AS will assign auditors for facilities.
Is anything staying the same?
Yes. All auditors will still be trained and approved to Leather Working Group standards with LWG AS building on the robust assurance processes already in place.
LWG remains the owner of the standards and sets the requirements for certification against them.
The list of certified suppliers will continue to be published on the Leather Working Group website.
Is there any training or pre-audit support available?
Yes. LWG AS-approved auditors can provide assistance, doing everything from explaining how to prepare for an audit to giving general guidance about what information and documents to gather and specific information on things like gap analysis.
How can we support these changes?
Please take time to read and understand how the creation of LWG AS will impact your business and be sure to communicate these changes to your staff.
Who issues the invoices?
LWG AS will oversee the invoicing process and issue invoices to tanneries. Invoices for audit costs will be issued following application acceptance and not less than 30 days prior to the planned audit date. A second invoice will be raised for any necessary travel costs and must be paid prior to the planned audit date.
Who issues the certificates?
LWG AS will issue all certificates after audits are evaluated, and the assurance checks have been completed.
When will the LWG AS booking system go live?
The booking system is live now. If you have already booked and confirmed an audit with an auditor prior to this date, then you will be able to proceed with that contracted audit. Any new audits must be booked through the new process. Introductory webinars and follow-up meetings will be available to support the transition.
What are the benefits of LWG certification?
Adopting the protocol into management systems as the basis for continuous improvement make it possible to monitor reductions in chemical cost, improved production consistency, and lower utility usage. The most recent audit report can be used as the main improvement guide for the next audit cycle.
What does the audit measure?
The audit will focus on data, management processes and procedures. It is important that a facility’s management can demonstrate that its systems are working and that data is consistent.
If LWG AS rotates auditors, does this mean the auditors will need to travel further, resulting in increased audit costs?
No. LWG AS has more than one local approved auditor in the main leather production areas of world. This includes two auditors in India, five in Europe and four in Asia, with more on the way.
Do LWG AS-approved auditors always need translators with them to carry out audits?
No. Where possible LWG AS will assign an auditor who has the relevant language skills for the location they are auditing. Language skills are something LWG AS look for when recruiting auditors.
If auditors are rotated and the regular auditor misses an audit, does this mean specific site knowledge will be lost?
No. Despite the rotation of approved auditors after two visits, any specific site information will be passed on through the audit reports. This means specific site information built up over a several visits will be communicated to the next approved auditor.
Should a consultant be used when preparing for an audit?
No. Consultants are not needed when preparing for audits. Many companies don’t use consultants at all, but they could be still helpful to those that are lacking in the expertise or the resources to compile the required data.
It seems unclear whether the audit booking has been confirmed – is it possible to check?
Please contact LWG AS here and we will check for you. Please note, all audits must now be applied for via our website using this form.
I still have a question – how can I contact LWG AS?
Yes – please click here to contact LWG AS.
