Behind every Gusti Leather bag or accessory lies a concrete commitment to quality, people, and the environment. The certifications and labels we carry are not just logos — they are guarantees verified by independent bodies, attesting to precise standards throughout our production chain. In this article, you will find a clear explanation of each certification: what it is, what it measures, and why it matters to you as a customer.
Leather Working Group (LWG)
What it is: The Leather Working Group is a non-profit organization founded in England in 2005. It is the international standard for assessing the environmental impact of tanneries and ensuring the traceability of leather throughout the entire supply chain.
What it measures:
- Leather traceability — right back to the slaughterhouse of origin for the highest-rated members
- Chemical and water consumption in the tanning process
- Environmental practices of leather manufacturers
The rating system: Certified tanneries receive a Gold, Silver, or Bronze label based on their environmental performance, complemented by a supply chain transparency rating from A to C. The "A" rating is awarded to those able to trace their leather back to the slaughterhouse.
Why it matters to you: Buying a Gusti Leather product made with leather from LWG-certified tanneries means choosing a brand that knows where its leather comes from and is committed to a more responsible industry. Around 23% of finished leather worldwide now comes from LWG-certified manufacturers, with over 945 members globally.
For more information, please visit this page.
TÜV SÜD
What it is: TÜV SÜD is a globally recognised technical inspection and certification organisation headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its name stands for "Technischer Überwachungsverein Süd" (Technical Inspection Association South). It operates at over 1,000 locations worldwide and is known for the rigour of its evaluations.
What it measures:
- Safety, quality, and compliance of products and manufacturing processes
- Adherence to national and international regulations (including european REACH norm for chemical substances in leather and textile products)
- Physical and chemical product testing: resistance, colour fastness, absence of harmful substances
Why it matters to you: A TÜV SÜD certification on a leather product means it has been tested and validated by a globally recognised independent body. It is your assurance that the product you are buying is safe, compliant with European safety standards, and that the materials used present no health risks. In the case of Gusti Leather, our products are independently tested by TÜV SÜD for the presence of Chrome IV — a chemical previously widespread in leather tanning that can cause skin irritation on contact. You can therefore shop with complete confidence.
For more information, please visit this page.
Sedex
What it is: Sedex (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) is the world's largest collaborative platform for sharing ethical and sustainable supply chain data. Launched in 2002, it now brings together over 60,000 members across 180 countries and 35 industries.
What it measures:
- Fair working conditions
- Employee health and safety
- Business ethics
Why it matters to you: Sedex allows brands like Gusti Leather to share verified, transparent information about their suppliers. As a customer, this guarantees that the people making your products work in fair and safe conditions — throughout the entire supply chain, not just in the most visible workshops.
SA8000
What it is: SA8000 is an international social accountability standard, developed in 1997/1998 by the American NGO Social Accountability International (SAI). It is based on international human rights conventions and recommendations from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The certificate is valid for 3 years, with audits every 6 months.
What it measures:
- Prohibition of child labour and forced labour
- Workplace health and safety
- Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining
- Non-discrimination
- Compliance with minimum wage and working time regulations
Why it matters to you: SA8000 is one of the most demanding social standards in the world, particularly suited to internationally active companies like Gusti Leather. It certifies that our production partners uphold fundamental labour rights — verified through regular independent audits. Today, over 2,000,000 employees across 56 industries in 58 countries work for SA8000-certified companies.
For more information, please visit this page.
ISO 9001: Quality Management
What it is: ISO 9001 is the world's most widely adopted quality management standard (DIN at national level, EN in Europe, ISO internationally). The certificate is valid for 3 years, after which recertification is required.
What it measures:
- Transparency and consistency of internal business processes
- Continuous improvement of customer satisfaction
- Reduction of error rates and costs
- Ability to identify and exceed customer expectations
Why it matters to you: An ISO 9001-certified company does not simply produce — it commits to continuously improving the quality of everything it does. For you, that means more reliable products, consistent manufacturing quality, and a brand that takes customer satisfaction seriously.
ISO 14001: Environmental Management
What it is: ISO 14001 is the international reference standard for environmental management systems, first published in 1996 and revised in 2015. Applicable to any organisation regardless of size, the certificate is valid for 3 years before recertification is required. Around 300,000 companies worldwide are currently certified.
What it measures:
- Efficient use of resources (water, energy, raw materials)
- Reduction of environmental and consumption costs
- Identification and monitoring of significant environmental impacts
Why it matters to you: An ISO 14001 certification demonstrates that a company has put in place a structured, verified approach to reducing its environmental footprint. At Gusti Leather, this is part of a broader commitment to responsible leather fashion — because the durability of a beautiful bag should never come at the planet's expense.
BSCI: Business Social Compliance Initiative
What it is: The BSCI is a business-driven initiative founded in 2003 at the initiative of the FTA (Foreign Trade Association). Its goal is to improve working conditions across global supply chains. It operates as a membership platform with two types of membership:
- Regular membership: active participation in the supply chain, integrated into the audit and quality process
- Associate membership: no active role in the supply chain
What it measures:
- Compliance with legal regulations
- Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining
- Non-discrimination in hiring
- Fair remuneration and working hours
- Workplace safety
- Prohibition of child labour and forced labour
Why it matters to you: The BSCI is not a certification label in the strict sense, but a collective initiative that drives companies to actively improve their social practices at every link in their production chain. Members are audited at least every two years by independent inspection bodies. For you, this means a continuous improvement process is in place — not just a statement of good intentions.
Our certifications, your peace of mind
Certifications are not an end in themselves: they reflect a daily commitment to quality, people, and the environment. At Gusti Leather, every label we display is a promise kept — to you, and to the craftspeople who make your products.
Discover our commitment to responsibility and our values on our dedicated page.
