ICEC promotes new certification standards
The Italian Institute for the Certification of Quality in Leather (ICEC) is promoting new leather certification standards that will be introduced in the first half of 2007, and is likely to be officially launched at Lineapelle in
It is also hoping that a new UNI standard will be launched before the summer and in view of this the organisation is currently applying for Sincert accreditation in relation to quality systems. The main aims of the UNI scheme will be to allow each batch of leather to be followed throughout the entire production process, to offer a guarantee of the geographical origin of the leather. Many tanneries have already become involved in the scheme, in particular leather exporters, having participated in a pilot project to test the efficiency of the system.
ICEC has also announced that ICEC_TS 503 ‘Metrological guarantee of test machinery for the tanning sector’ standard is now operational. This standard guarantees the metrological conformity of the machines by way of a ‘statement of conformity’ which identifies the standard references of the tests that the machine can perform in conformity; the outcome of final inspections; the identification of each part that influences the metrological quality; the manufacturer’s name; the statement of conformity to EC directives and to the technical standards; the model and the frame/serial number; its year of construction; and instructions for use and for maintaining metrological conformity.
The standard has already been successfully adopted by Turin-based producer of test machines and accessories for the leather sector, Giuliani Tecnologie.
ICEC has already certified the quality management systems of approximately 100 Italian tanning companies, 80% of which are in the
