Indore leather toy makers aim for certification
Manufacturers of leather toys in Indore, India, are trying to get a product certification for their goods in order to save their declining industry.
“The rising cost of leather has increased our input costs by 30 to 40% in the last four months which is hampering the production,” Sanjay Arya, treasurer of the Indore Leather Toys Manufacturers’ Association told local media.
Claiming that inferior quality of leather used by certain manufacturers was causing significant damage to those dealing in pure leathergoods, Arya said that the association was planning to obtain an area specific product certification from the central government.
The association has already submitted a proposal for certification to Marketing and Service Extension Centre (Handicrafts) of the union textile ministry.
Indore’s leather toy industry has been running since 1960 and almost 70% of the toys manufactured are exported to Europe and the US.
