ICT releases details of discussions at 2010 Council Meeting
23/04/2010
The International Council of Tanners (ICT) held its Council Meeting in Hong Kong on March 28, the day before the start of the APLF exhibition.
There was an attendance of 20 people at the private session, which was followed by a joint open session with the International Council for Hide Skins and Leather Traders’ Associations.
The key issues that came up for discussion included developments on the labelling and designation of leather and progress towards strengthening the legal basis for tackling misdescriptions.
The ICT Code of practice on the appropriate designation of leather used in upholstery and automotive applications had been published and circulated. It formed the basis of a CEN Standard for designations that was currently under discussion, and had been broadly accepted, subject to some minor adjustments. The principles had also been put forward by COTANCE, the European Union’s leather industry association, to be incorporated into an EU labelling directive to cover leather products in general and this proposal was making progress, albeit slowly through the legislative process. This followed the strategy agreed within the group of auto leather producers, on the premise that strong European legislation could potentially lead the way and have a wider international influence.
ICT delegates also reported that a positive discussion had taken place with COTANCE regarding the basis on which a number of European countries not currently in membership of ICT might agree to rejoin. Changes to the ICT Statutes to facilitate this process have been put forward for wider consideration.
There was a discussion with ICHSLTA delegates on the possible revision of the International Contract; this is to be followed up with written proposals and a separate meeting, as appropriate, and a guest speaker presentation from David Bowles of animal welfare group RSPCA on the growing importance, worldwide of animal welfare issues.
This was followed by a roundtable report on the state of trade, with more detailed written reports provided.
The ICT will next meet in São Paulo, Brazil in January 2011, followed by a meeting in Hong Kong, on the day before the 2011 APLF Fair, Tuesday 29 March.
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