At its Extraordinary General Assembly held on 13 February 2026 in Milan, on the occasion of the Lineapelle trade fair, COTANCE — the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community — unanimously approved a landmark revision of its Statutes. This decision marks a historic turning point for the organisation, officially opening its doors to a new category of members and charting a course towards a broader, more inclusive representation of the entire leather value chain.
A Long-Awaited and Widely Supported Reform
The statutory revision is the result of a process of reflection and consultation that spanned the entirety of 2025, involving COTANCE’s national member associations across Europe. The outcome is a comprehensive reform introducing significant changes both in terms of representation and internal governance.
The most significant change is the introduction of a new category of Supporting Members, which allows organisations connected to the leather ecosystem to formally participate in the Confederation’s activities. Eligible bodies include vocational education and training providers, research and innovation centres, industry clusters, material and technology suppliers, and other stakeholders operating in close connection with the tanning sector. These new members will not hold voting rights in deliberative assemblies, but will be able to benefit from the Confederation’s activities and take part in targeted events, thereby contributing to the building of a more cohesive and interconnected professional community.
Modernising Governance
The reform goes beyond broadening the membership base and also addresses the organisation’s governance structure. The statutory changes strengthen the executive role of the Presidency: the President will now have the authority to directly designate Vice-Presidents, ensuring greater flexibility in shaping the leadership and guaranteeing that the organisation’s direction reflects the sector’s priorities at any given time. Furthermore, the presidential term has been extended from two to four years, a choice aimed at ensuring greater strategic continuity and institutional stability.
The President’s Words
COTANCE President Manuel Rios expressed his satisfaction with the decisions taken in Milan:
“The decisions taken in Milan by unanimity signal not just an administrative update, but a structural step forward: a more open, collaborative and future-oriented Confederation, ready to support a modern and competitive European leather ecosystem.”
The Secretary General’s Comments
COTANCE Secretary General Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano highlighted the strategic significance of the reform:
“COTANCE is, and remains, a European organisation representing the interests of European tanners. With this statutory evolution, COTANCE broadens its constituency to cover also the interests of individuals and entities in the leather ecosystem which previously lacked formal representation. By doing so, it positions itself to better address today’s challenges — from sustainability and traceability to skills, innovation and global competitiveness — by engaging the full spectrum of actors shaping the future of leather.”
A New Secretary General on the Horizon
During the assembly, COTANCE members warmly welcomed Edoardo De Paola in the role of Deputy Secretary General. As of April 2026, De Paola will assume full responsibility as Secretary General, ensuring operational continuity and further strengthening the organisation’s capacity to support the sector in the years ahead.
In his introductory address to the membership, De Paola stated:
“I am an Italian national and a European citizen. While my proximity may make it more immediate for me to engage with the Italian membership, I am fully conscious that this mandate entrusts me with representing a broad and diverse European membership. I am committed to safeguarding the interests of COTANCE’s members and the plurality of voices that shape its common position.”
How to Become a Supporting Member
Organisations interested in joining COTANCE under the new Supporting Member category are invited to express their interest by writing to cotance@euroleather.com.
Manuel Rios
Edoardo De Paola