Swazi Observer

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TRACEABILITY, ECO-CERTIFICATION PILOT BEGINS

By Nomfanelo Maziya | 2024-12-21

The Kingdom’s leather industry is poised for significant growth as it embarks on a 17-day pilot project focused on traceability and eco-certification.

The initiative, which will be implemented at Embiveni Meat Industries, is a crucial step towards enhancing the quality and value of the country's leather products in the global market.

The pilot project, facilitated by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, is made possible by the recent handover of a pneumatic stamping machine from the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI).

This state-of-the-art equipment will be utilised to track and trace hides and skins throughout the production process, ensuring transparency and compliance with environmental standards.

A four-day training session on the preparation of hides and skins for traceability and eco-certification was conducted prior to the pilot project.

This training aimed to equip industry stakeholders with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement the new system effectively.

By embracing traceability and eco-certification, Eswatini's leather industry can position itself as a sustainable and ethical supplier of high-quality leather products.

This initiative not only benefits the local economy but also contributes to the global effort to promote responsible and environmentally friendly practices in the leather industry.

Director MSME Mluleki Dlamini expressed excitement saying, “We look forward to starting this project and continuing it beyond these 17 days.

We aim to expand this initiative to other slaughterhouses and make traceability a cornerstone of our leather industry,’’ said Dlamaini.

He said the pilot project was a crucial step towards implementing a comprehensive traceability system across the entire leather value chain.

"This is not just a pilot project, but a foundation for a sustainable and traceable leather industry.
Collaboration

We are also collaborating with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to develop training programmes for artisans and improve the marketing of leather products," said Dlamini.

Africa Leather and leather Products Institute (ALLPI) Institutional Capacity Development and consultancy expert Michael Kiraye expressed optimism about the smooth transition from the 17-day pilot phase to full-scale implementation.

‘‘While we have a 17-day pilot period, the groundwork has already been laid,’’ he explained.
‘‘The necessary systems, personnel, and products are in place, so we are essentially transitioning into the project implementation phase,’’ said Kiraye.

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