CICB supports Brazil’s existing Leather Law
07/03/2013
Brazil has had legislation regarding leather labelling since 1965 in the shape of a law simply known as the Leather Law (number 4,888 in the penal code). Under this law, retailers and consumer goods brands are, for example, forbidden from using terms such as “synthetic leather”, which is self-contradictory. The term “eco-leather” may only be used on items made exclusively from animal skin. Even the term “genuine leather” is prohibited, on the basis that there is no other kind of leather.
CICB has said it fully supports initiatives to increase awareness among consumers, brands and manufacturers of these rules. “This is achieving very positive results throughout the country,” CICB said in a recent statement. “It will bring gains for the entire sector, starting from the consumer.”
The organisation went on to say that companies selling leathergoods are also benefiting because recognition that their products are genuine and of high quality adds value for them. At the same time, it said the 500 tanneries active in Brazil at the moment and the 50,000 people who work in them will also benefit because a sharper focus on the Leather Law and stricter controls of compliance with it will help increase demand for leather. Infractions against the law can incur heavy fines and even a prison sentence of up to one year.
Brazil’s tanning industry achieved export revenues of nearly $2.1 billion in 2012.
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