“Leather” as a word is protected by French regulations (Decree n ° 2010-29).
It is the results of transformation of animal skin by tanning, having retained its original fibrous structure.
By regulating this term, the objective is to protect the consumer and the distributors of leather goods. Originally intended to guarantee leather buyers that they will benefit from all the properties of this material. This regulations also allow vegan peoples to abstain them to use leather products.
Thus, many materials, some of which have recently arrived on the market, cannot claim the leather designation. Often mistakenly associated with leather, synthetic materials, materials from plants (pineapple, algae and other mushroom), reconstituted leather from shavings or powders and even materials from bio-manufactured skins cannot be called “leather”.
The indications "synthetic leather", "reconstituted leather" or "leather of ..." are therefore not legal and may in no case be affixed to an article.
To inform the consumer, any finished product must include a composition label when it is sold on French territory.
The labeling differ for shoes and for other articles containing leather (leather goods, belt, bracelet, sofa, etc.).
1 - Example of shoe labelling in the form of a pictogram according to decree n ° 96-477 relating to the labelling of all footwear
2 - Example of labelling of the leather goods type according to decree n ° 2010-29 relating to the labelling of articles comprising leather (excluding shoes)
These regulations contain many subtleties or possible interpretations. Recognition of materials requires long experience and suitable equipment.
Equipped with a macroscope, the histology laboratory tracks the false from the true! Animal species of origin or imitation but also various materials copying the appearance of leather undergo a macroscopic examination as a rule.
From these identifications, CTC supports marketers to fix the information to appear on the label of the finished product, or to verify the conformity of the labelling with respect to the regulatory texts in force.
In the case of mixed products comprising textile, leather and fur, the requirements of the European textile regulation (EU 1007/2011) and the fur decree (n ° 2004-923) must also be integrated.
The labelling of leather goods has become very complex. In addition to respecting the consumer, the economic challenges linked to possible withdrawals from the market cannot be overlooked.
To avoid this type of inconvenience, CTC provides one day customized trainee about “labelling” (trainee available only in French).
During this training, a reminder of the different materials used for making shoes, bags or clothing is proposed. The regulatory texts are studied and applied to the brand's products in the form of workshop.
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