Brasport is proud to be a founding member of the AQC, the Association for Quality Assurance of Leather Strap Manufacturers. The association’s founding members include Camille Fournet, Hirsch, Interstrap, and Multicuirs. Together, they represent a significant share of the global production of luxury leather watch straps. Moreover, its role is essential, as requirements in terms of quality, compliance, and transparency continue to increase every year.
The AQC was created with a clear objective: to strengthen material traceability and harmonize industrial practices. It also aims to ensure the compliance of components used in the manufacturing of leather straps. These challenges are now at the heart of concerns for watch brands and industrial partners. They also concern end consumers, particularly in the luxury segment.
A Collective Approach
As a founding member of this association, Brasport is part of a collective and responsible approach focused on continuous improvement. Its involvement within the AQC allows it to actively contribute to several key areas of work that are essential to the industry:
- Identifying and reducing undesirable substances present in materials
- Developing and implementing standardized testing methods recognized internationally
- Ensuring the safety, consistency, and performance of finished products throughout their entire life cycle
These actions help strengthen the reliability of leather watch straps. They also make it possible to meet regulatory standards and the growing expectations of major watchmaking houses. In addition, the AQC provides lists of regulated substances relevant to watch straps. These RSLs (Restricted Substances Lists) take into account several criteria:
- Substances posing a high risk to consumer health and the environment
- Regulated substances potentially present in leather (risk-based approach)
- Substances for which regulatory projects are currently underway (proactive approach)
Within this framework, the AQC does not limit itself to a theoretical structure but implements concrete actions. The association organizes regular meetings to bring its members together, enabling them to exchange views on industry-related issues and work collectively to identify solutions. These meetings function as genuine working groups, encouraging the sharing of expertise and the development of common approaches. In particular, they make it possible to measure the impact of straps, analyze the life cycle of the materials used, and embed this work within a dynamic of continuous improvement.
Traceability and Compliance at the Core of Priorities
The AQC provides an essential service to all its members. In particular, it helps meet strict requirements regarding raw material traceability and the compliance of materials used in the manufacture of leather watch straps. This level of transparency has become a decisive criterion in relationships between manufacturers, brands, and end customers.
For Brasport, this commitment represents significant added value in its development and in its ability to guarantee products that comply with the most demanding standards. Being a founding member of the AQC strengthens the company’s credibility and supports its certification efforts and recognition among partners and clients.
Shared Values and a Long-Term Commitment
Beyond technical and regulatory aspects, membership in the AQC reflects Brasport’s fundamental values. The company must ensure—and reassure its clients—that every stage of the manufacturing process complies with rules, standards, and ethical commitments.
The work carried out within the AQC is also part of a broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach. Considering product impact, analyzing the life cycle of materials, and anticipating regulatory developments all contribute to a more sustainable and responsible approach to the leather watch strap industry.
Staying continuously informed about industry developments, following recommended processes, anticipating regulatory changes, and remaining aligned with its values are integral parts of Brasport’s vision. This ongoing commitment makes it possible to offer high-quality, durable, safe leather watch straps that are perfectly suited to the demands of the luxury market.
As a founding member of the AQC, Brasport thus reaffirms its determination to play an active role in the evolution of its industry, placing quality, transparency, and trust at the center of its priorities.