JBS Couros, AMCM and Mats Beneficiamento de Couro are the most recent companies to join CSCB, the Brazilian Leather Sustainability Certification. Unique, the program acknowledges tanneries through the assessment of high standard practices within the three pillars of sustainability – economy, social responsibility, and the environment, based on norms by the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) and through audits carried out by certifying bodies accredited by Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology). CSCB is an initiative promoted by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB).
CSCB is an extensive and thorough program focused on improving tanneries processes and management, and connected with the sector’s most recent evolutions, says CEO at JBS Couros, Roberto Motta. “The Brazilian leather industry has improved significantly in the last two decades, not only in terms of the quality of hides produced, but also in terms of developing processes and technologies. CSCB means one more step in this direction, allowing us to independently evaluate the industry’s development in areas such as the environment and corporative social responsibility”, adds Motta. With 21 manufacturing units (17 located in Brazil) and 9 thousand direct collaborators, JBS is an international reference when it comes to the production of semi-finished and finished articles for the automotive, furniture and artifacts sectors.
CSCB’s transversal approach, contemplating long-term prognosis for tanneries and society is also mentioned as an innovative factor by Mauro Pedro Becker, director at Mats Beneficiamento de Couro. Becker says the valorization of companies committed to the three pillars of sustainability is a movement already present in the market, so CSCB should position tanneries in a very clear way towards buyers from the footwear industries.
According to Cícero Marchini, from AMCM, the certification will strengthen the relation of participating tanneries with both domestic and foreign clients. Marchini believes CSCB will be an important attribute, and the entire leather chain should value and acknowledge it.
Soon after joining CSCB, every company goes through a consultancy and training stage, working under the 173 indicators that make up the norm created by a Special Study Committee from ABNT. These indicators contemplate the economic, environmental, social and management dimensions of sustainability. The consultancy teaches and assesses the compliance, registering and continuity of every indication. When this step is completed, the tannery is ready to ask for an audit by a certifying body accredited by Inmetro in order to obtain the certification. CSCB holds four levels: Bronze (for those who follow up to 50% of the indicators applicable from each of the four dimensions), Silver (75%), Gold (90%) and Diamond (100%).
