Bentley updates sourcing rules for leather, wood and wool

Bentley outlines stricter sourcing rules for leather, wood and wool, aligning with EU and UK standards. Learn how the policy impacts supply chains and sustainability.

Bentley has tightened its requirements for the origin of materials used in its interiors — from leather to wood veneers — formalising this shift in a new Responsible Raw Material Sourcing Policy that focuses on traceability, animal welfare and sustainable forest management.

The policy targets core cabin materials that define the brand’s identity: leather, wool and wood processed at its Crewe facility. It introduces stricter standards, including compliance with EU animal welfare legislation and the use of certification schemes and third-party verification to confirm sourcing practices.

This move carries regulatory significance as well. Wood and related products are now subject to the EU’s deforestation regulation (EUDR), which requires companies to prove that materials are not linked to deforestation after 2020. At the same time, the UK Timber Regulations aim to eliminate illegally sourced timber from supply chains. Bentley explicitly aligns its sourcing rules with both frameworks, reinforcing transparency and accountability.

On the leather side, the company builds on existing industry mechanisms. Bentley was the first car manufacturer to join the Leather Working Group, an organisation that audits environmental and social practices in leather production, including traceability. This provides a structured way to implement supply chain monitoring through certification and ongoing audits.

The new policy is aligned with Volkswagen Group standards and forms part of Bentley’s broader Beyond100+ strategy, where sustainability is positioned as a core principle. That strategy extends beyond electrification to include a comprehensive reassessment of materials used across its vehicles.

This announcement reflects a continuation rather than a departure from Bentley’s previous approach. The company has already highlighted its use of wood sourced from managed North American forests and its exploration of alternatives such as recycled and reconstituted materials. The new policy formalises these efforts within a more structured framework.

The document is described as evolving, with Bentley indicating that requirements will be updated as regulations and industry expectations develop. This suggests that supplier obligations and traceability standards are likely to become more detailed over time.

Ultimately, the policy positions interior materials not just as elements of design, but as measurable components of what Bentley defines as responsible luxury.