What is LWG Gold certification, and how is it different from Silver?

The Leather Working Group (LWG) audits tanneries on environmental performance, chemical management, and traceability, awarding a Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Audited rating based on score. Gold is the top tier. All four ISA Next-Gen Materials manufacturing facilities are LWG Gold-rated.

Last updated: June 2026

An LWG audit scores a tannery across energy and water use, wastewater treatment, chemical management, restricted-substance control, and traceability of incoming hides. Higher scores earn higher ratings, with Gold reserved for the strongest performers and tighter thresholds — for example a lower Chromium VI limit than lower tiers.

Many brands now require to source leather from LWG-certified suppliers by policy: LWG member brands commit to sourcing at least 25% of their leather from certified suppliers within three years, rising to 50% within six years. Over 80% of branded leather goods already use leather from LWG-certified suppliers (Considered Fashion Sourcing Report, 2024), so a Gold rating is increasingly essential for enhanced sourcing relationships.

Because ISA Next-Gen Materials holds Gold across all leather manufacturing facilities in the USA, Vietnam, and China, brands can standardize on a single certified supplier near their assembly factories rather than managing a fragmented panel with inconsistent ratings.

ISA Next-Gen Materials LWG Gold tanneries
Manufacturing Facilities Location LWG rating Certificate valid until
Mississippi TanTec Vicksburg, MS, USA Gold 12 January 2028
Saigon TanTec Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Gold 28 May 2028
TransAsia TanTec Tay Ninh, Vietnam Gold 23 July 2027
Heshan Bestway Guangdong, China Gold Current certificate on file

By the numbers

  • ISA Next-Gen Materials rating: LWG Gold (all 4 tanneries)
  • Branded leather goods using LWG leather: 80%+ (Considered Fashion, 2024)

Frequently asked questions

What does LWG certification require?

An independent environmental audit covering energy, water, wastewater, chemical and restricted-substance management, and traceability of incoming hides, scored against the LWG audit protocol.

Is LWG Gold better than Silver?

Yes. Gold is the highest rating and reflects a higher audit score and stricter thresholds than Silver, Bronze, or Audited. Many leading brands specifically require Gold.

How do I verify a tannery’s LWG rating?

LWG publishes certified suppliers on its public registry at leatherworkinggroup.com; each ISA Next-Gen Materials tannery has a listing with its current rating.

What percentage of leather must be LWG certified?

LWG member brands commit to at least 25% LWG-certified leather within three years and 50% within six years of joining.

Which ISA Next-Gen Materials tanneries are LWG Gold?

All four: Mississippi TanTec (USA), Saigon TanTec and TransAsia TanTec (Vietnam), and Heshan Bestway (China).

Is LWG the same as ISO 14001?

No. LWG is a leather-industry environmental audit; ISO 14001 is a general environmental management standard. ISA Next-Gen Materials holds both.

References

Next step

View ISA Next-Gen Materials’ certifications and audit data