The ‘Washington’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, more commonly known as CITES, aims to protect certain plants and animals by regulating and monitoring their international trade to prevent it reaching unsustainable levels. The Convention entered into force in 1975, and the UK became a Party in 1976. There are more than 168 Parties to the Convention. The CITES Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

HOW CITES WORKS

CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls. All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorised through a licensing system. Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species. The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices, according to the degree of protection they need.

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade. Changes to Appendix III follow a distinct procedure from changes to Appendices I and II, as each party is entitled to make unilateral amendments to it.

SUSTAINABLE SOURCING

Asprey only produces merchandise using skins from sustainable sources. We do not use animals listed in Appendix I of the convention. In the case of animals listed in appendix II of the Cites convention, skins are imported into the EU accompanied by an export certificate issued by the government of the country of origin.

The convention provides a framework for legislation and process in the countries that are a party. Hence the actual rules and legislation vary from country to country.

Asprey retails products crafted from both genuine non-exotic and exotic leathers, including crocodile, alligator, lizard, python and ostrich. All leather is sourced directly from reputable, top-tier tanneries located within the European Union, primarily in Italy and France. These suppliers are selected for their expertise, quality standards, ethical business practices and commitment to responsible sourcing. Asprey works only with established suppliers that comply with all applicable international and national regulations governing the trade of leather, including CITES requirements where applicable, ensuring full legal traceability and responsible procurement throughout the supply chain.

Asprey sources leather from a small number of long-established, reputable European tanneries, all of which are members of the Leather Working Group (LWG). Membership of the LWG demonstrates adherence to internationally recognised standards for environmental management, traceability and responsible sourcing within the leather supply chain. Asprey requires its suppliers to comply with all applicable animal welfare, legal and regulatory requirements, including CITES where relevant, and works only with suppliers that maintain high standards of ethical and responsible business practices.

Asprey requires all leather suppliers and manufacturers of finished leather goods to comply with applicable European Union legislation governing the safe use, handling and management of chemicals, including REACH regulations. The tanneries from which Asprey sources leather are members of the Leather Working Group (LWG), which independently assesses environmental and chemical management practices. Through supplier selection and ongoing due diligence, Asprey seeks to ensure that robust standards for chemical management are maintained throughout its leather supply chain.

The Asprey website sells merchandise made from CITES listed animals within the United Kingdom. If you are shipping to a different country, your order will be subject to extended delivery timings due to documentary requirements. Please note that we are unable to accept returns of merchandise made from CITES listed animals from outside the United Kingdom.