In a strategic collaboration, Oeko-Tex Association and Danish traceability pioneer Spoor, part of Scan-Hide, have decided to drive forward a data-based approach that enables full traceability of leather products back to the individual animal farm, setting a new global standard for responsible sourcing.
- This collaboration is a major step toward a more responsible and environmentally conscious leather industry, offering brands the ability to provide consumers with verifiable insights into their leather products' origins and production processes.
THE HOW: Leveraging Spoor’s cutting-edge tracking technology, this initiative ensures that every leather hide can be traced from birth through the tanning process to the final product.
- This traceability data is subsequently digitised within the Oeko-Tex Label Check, allowing consumers to effortlessly access and visualise the locations and stages immediately.
- By additionally certifying each involved production facility for environmentally conscious practices, responsible chemical management and the upholding of social responsibility standards, Oeko-Tex further advances its ‘Made in Green’ label as a benchmark for sustainable and transparent leather.
FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND TRACEABILITY SOLUTION FOR LEATHER INDUSTRY: The collaboration will start as a pilot project to implement Oeko-Tex Made in Green as the label for leather supply chain transparency for products produced from Spoor hides.
- Earlier in January 2025, Spoor leather achieved the Oeko-Tex Leather Standard certification, which represents a crucial step towards the Made in Green label.
- A further significant milestone was the Oeko-Tex STeP certification of Scan-Hide in 2023.
- The Leather Standard certification marked the launch of the first Made in Green pre-tanned leather label, offering full traceability back to the farm.
- By integrating Spoor’s traceability data with Oeko-Tex certification, brands can now offer consumers documented proof of origin for their leather goods.
- The Spoor traceability system is built on unique identifiers assigned to each hide at birth, following it throughout its journey from the farm, through tanning at Denmark's last remaining tannery, to the final product. This innovative approach ensures 100% documented transparency, meeting the growing consumer demand for ethical and sustainable sourcing.
THE CONTEXT: Consumers increasingly demand proof of sustainability, and by integrating Spoor’s fully traceable hides with Oeko-Tex certification standards, the international association and Spoor are providing the industry with a powerful tool to meet these expectations.
- Spoor enables every hide is tracked from farm to finished product, ensuring transparency.
WHAT THEY SAID
We believe that co-creation with all stakeholders in the value chain is essential for creating meaningful change.
— Birgitte Holgaard Langer
Business Development Director
Spoor
Our collaboration is a milestone in our journey to set new industry standards and drive the future of responsibly sourced and transparent leather.
— Annika Sauerhöfer
Product Manager
Oeko-Tex
ABOUT SPOOR: Spoor is part of Danish Scan-Hide – the last remaining tannery in Denmark.
- Spoor is forefront runner in demonstrating full transparency on its Nordic responsibly sourced leather – from single animal to finished leather by providing all relevant traceability and ESG data.
- By innovating and developing traceability technologies and by bringing new more responsible tanning technologies to market, Spoor wishes to demonstrate that transparency and documentation is needed in order to co-create a better sustainable tomorrow.
