JLIA
Sustainable
Certification
Providing sustainability to global standards
The Japan Leather and Leather Goods Industries Association (JLIA)
has established a certification system
to recognize companies that actively contribute to
the realization of a sustainable society, economy, and
environment by respecting the principles of
the SDGs throughout the entire leather industry supply chain.
NEWS
September 9, 2025
We are pleased to announce the release of the JLIA Sustainable Certification website.
Do you have these concerns？
-
Demonstrating your SDGs initiatives objectively
-
Gaining recognition for environmentally and socially responsible practices
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Strengthening your credibility and brand image
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Meeting clients’ demands for SDGs, ESG, and CSR compliance/certification
A Certification in Global Demand
The global leather industry is increasingly expected to address
environmental considerations, social responsibility, animal
welfare, product quality and safety, and transparency.
The JLIA Sustainable Certification is
a global standard developed with reference to:
- ESG ratings
- EU Taxonomy
- EU Ecolabel
- over 15 Japanese and international laws and standards.
The JLIA Sustainable Certification is based on the 17 SDGs.
Key Related SDGs
Main Evaluation Criteria
Corporate Governance
- Compliance with laws
- Respect for International Standards
Human Rights & Labor
- Prohibition of forced labor and child labor
- Consideration of working hours
- Fair wages
- Prohibition of inhumane treatment
- Elimination of discrimination
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining
Occupational Health & Safety
- Workplace safety and health
- Emergency preparedness
- Prevention of occupational accidents and diseases
- Industrial hygiene
- Consideration for physically demanding tasks
- Safety measures for machinery and equipment
- Facility safety and hygiene
- Health management
Environmental Issues
- Environmental management
- Reduction of greenhouse gases and energy use
- Water management
- Efficient resource use and waste management
- Chemical substance management
- Control of chemicals contained in products
- Biodiversity conservation
Fair Trade & Ethics
- Anti-corruption
- Prohibition of improper giving or receiving of benefits
- Appropriate information disclosure
- Respect for intellectual property rights
- Promotion of fair business practices
- Responsible mineral sourcing
- Prohibition of abuse of dominant market position
Quality & Safety
- Product safety
- Quality control
- Accurate information on products and services
Gain access to a wide range of benefits
Benefits of certification
1
Enhance
international
credibilityDemonstrates your commitment to SDGs, ESG, and CSR standards, enhancing brand value
2
New Business
OpportunitiesPositions your company as an active SDGs-focused enterprise through certification
3
Improvements in
environment and
workplace safetyStrengthens internal systems and raises employee awareness.
What is JLIA?
The Japan Leather and Leather Goods Industries Association (JLIA) is a
comprehensive non-profit organization that promotes the growth and cooperation
of the entire leather industry, supporting its overall development and collaboration
across the sector.
You can visit the JLIA official website here
About the logo
Selected from 407 entries, the logo combines cherry blossoms with the letter 'S' to symbolize sustainability.
Who Can Apply?
Open to all participants in the leather supply chain, including:
Who Can
Apply?
The entire supply chain of the leather industry
- Rawhide traders
- Tanners
- Leather wholesalers
- Leather product manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers
Certification Procedure Flow
1 Prepare Documents
- 【Form No.1 】Application Form
- 【Form No.2 】Overview of Business Sites
- 【Form No.3 】Declaration of Application
- 【Form No.4 】Checklist
Download the required documents
from the links below.
Complete them following the "Application Guide" and submit them along with the necessary attachments.
For Form 2: Overview of Business Sites,
please also attach the following:
- １）Organization chart
- ２）Factory layout map (including site map) and manufacturing equipment layout
- ３）Copy of documents showing the source of raw materials
- ４）Manufacturing process flowchart
- ５）Copy of documents certifying proper wastewater treatment
- ６）Copy of documents certifying proper waste disposal
- ７）Copy of documents for quality inspection of leather/leather products
- ８）Raw material acceptance inspection records
- ９）Complaint handling records
- 10）Copy of document certifying that the main leather has tested for chemicals as specified in the Japan Eco Leather Gold certification.
Please make sure to use the “Submission Checklist” to confirm that all required documents are included before sending, so that nothing is omitted.
Application & Contact Information
e-mail：sdgs@jlia.or.jp
by postal delivery
JAPAN LEATHER AND LEATHER GOODS INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (JLIA)
JLIA Sustainable Certification Team
Address: 7F, Hikaku Kenpo Kaikan, 1-12-13
Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0043, Japan
TEL : +81-3-3847-1451
Fax: +81-3-3847-1510
2 Application Submission and Payment ※Currently free of charge.
3 Assessment
Document
Review by
the Secretariat
The Japan Leather and Leather Goods Industries Association (JLIA) receives and reviews the submitted application documents.
On-site Audit of
Applicant
Companies
In addition to document review, onsite inspections are conducted at the applicant’s facilities.
Review Meeting by
the Third-Party
Committee
A thirdparty committee conducts the final assessment.
4 Upon Approval - Certificate Issuance
Certificate Issued
Available in
Japanese and English
Validity Duration 3 years
Certification Levels Based on Achievement
-
Gold
Meets
the highest standards of
sustainability -
Silver
Meets the standards while
actively pursuing further
improvements -
Bronze
Clears the minimum
required criteria
