Tanners criticise chemical firms for taking ‘easy’ chrome answers straight to brands
14/04/2015
Led by the presidents of its three member organisations, the committee confirmed its mission to “maintain and enhance the position of leather in the markets as a valued component material for the benefit of consumers and the leather manufacturing sector”.
They discussed a range of topics, including the EU-led pilot project on leather’s environmental footprint and regulations that restrict use of chemical substances, including implementation of EU regulations relating to chrome VI, which the GLCC has said will affect leather and leather products sold or imported into the EU by May 2015.
ICT representatives at the meeting expressed concerns about chemical management issues, particularly on chrome use. There is growing confusion among clients, they said, partly caused by “multiple initiatives” on the issue of chrome. “Tanners are requested by brands to comply with restricted substance lists, chemical tests and requirements that are inapplicable or inadequate or useless,” they said. “Unfortunately some chemical producers, laboratories and consultants often take advantage of the lack of related know-how in the brands in order to approach them directly and sell eco ‘easy solutions’, without involving tanners on the feasibility.”
The ICT also told the meeting a revised European (CEN) Standard for leather terminology is due to be published this month (April) and said this would prohibit the use of the term “leather” for any materials that do not meet the strict definition of leather. However, it is disappointing, the ICT delegates said, that the European Commission is not addressing leather labelling legislation more positively.
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