LVMH 2018  .  Environmental Report

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LVMH CREATES A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR CROCODILE LEATHER

As part of a global approach to the conditions under which animals are raised and for animal well-being, LVMH is far ahead

of the regulations governing supplies of crocodile leathers by launching a brand new standard at the start of 2019.

Due to insufficient rules regarding the supply of crocodiles, the Group is setting up a new frame of reference by launching a pioneering standard for the industry, says Jean-Baptiste Voisin, Chief Strategy Officer, LVMH Group.

A first important step was initiated by the Group in 2011 with the acquisition of Heng Long, a Singapore-based tannery of high-quality crocodile leathers. For seven years, the tannery has worked hand in hand with its partner farms and with scientific experts and veterinarians to improve the conditions in which the crocodiles are raised.

The results of this work as well as the reports of the Crocodile Specialist Group of the IUCN have enabled the Group to go further in mastering the entire supply chain and have served to underpin a new LVMH standard which rests on four pillars:

the preservation of the species and respect for local communities;

the well-being of the animal throughout the stages of its life;

the working conditions of the men and women on the farms;

protection of the environment.

These new criteria have been developed and validated by a committee of technical experts, including the independent NSF International organization. Three farms supplying Heng Long have now been audited and certified by an independent body. The Group is committed to have all farms (in Australia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and the United States) that supply Heng Long certified under this standard by the end of 2020.

Crocodiles raised in any Australian farm that supplies the Heng Long tannery.