CICB celebrates 50 years of Leather Law
The Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry (CICB) has celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Leather Law in the country, a regulation establishes that the word ‘leather’ can only be used when referring to products made of animal skin.
The association’s Blitz Lei do Couro (or ‘Blitz Leather Law’) project, which monitors how retailers promote footwear, clothes, handbags, accessories and furniture, has visited 16,000 shopping malls and stores in a little over a year.
CICB’s executive president, José Fernando Bell said: “Several lower quality materials try to emulate leather, incorporate its qualities. That’s why wrong terms like ‘eco-leather’ and ‘synthetic leather’ are so widespread. The Leather Law plays this important role of trying to prevent the improper use of the word ‘leather’ – a material that, besides being unique for its durability and aesthetic characteristics, also stands out for its rigorous manufacturing process.
“To inform your costumer that a shoe is ‘fake leather’, for example, not only contradicts the law, bringing the risk of detention, but it also goes against the Consumer Defence Code, since it misleads people.”
