Bovine leather is obtained from cattle hides as a co-product of the beef industry. It is a versatile material and used for its feel, premium appearance and wear resistance, for instance in shoes, clothes, accessories, furniture and fittings for car interiors.

Applications.

• Seat covers
• Interior fittings
• Steering wheels

Risks.

• Environmental impacts on water and soil owing to improper treatment of wastewater from tanneries and livestock farms
• Deforestation, land use and the associated loss of biodiversity 
• Violation of workers’ rights owing to occupational health and safety risks for workers in tanneries, livestock farms and abattoirs
• Greenhouse gas emissions and water use in livestock farming, the feed industry and leather manufacturing
• Endangering the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples
• Endangering animal welfare on farms and during transport and slaughter

Preventive measures.

• Identification and exclusion of critical rawhide suppliers
• Sourcing leather directly from Leather Working Group (LWG)-certified suppliers
• Increased use of chrome-free tanning agents, e.g. olive-tanned leather in the BMW iX
• Leather-free interiors as an option
• Promoting supplier commitment to compliance with ethical principles such as:
  • 3R principles (reduction, refinement, replacement)
  • The Five Freedoms of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC)
  • The principles of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

Active involvement in initiatives.

• Leather Working Group (LWG): Member and contributor to LWG working groups on enhancing sustainability standards

Overarching policies and commitments