The Brazilian Leather Law
Brazilian legislation protects and defends the rights and interests of consumers and leather producers by regulating the authenticity of leather-based goods. Established since 1965, the Leather Law (nº 4.888) understands it is a crime to say a product is made by “synthetic leather” or “eco-leather” if the items have not been obtained exclusively from animal skin. The national law also forbids the use of the term “genuine leather”. Leather goods must be identified only as leather.
By forcing the identification of the origin material, the regulation’s control should demonstrate more transparency in the commercialisation of products made by leather. The law’s dissemination, an initiative supported by the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry – CICB and other related organisations is achieving very positive results throughout the country.
It is known that its effectiveness will bring gains for the entire sector, starting from the consumer that will be assured in relation to the items genuineness, companies commercialising leather material will add more value to their activity and industries operating leather’s production and processing can increase the product’s demands.
The law’s implementation is a very important incentive for the business generation and will also supports the creation of new jobs. These are very important aspects of an activity employing 50 thousand people in 500 tanneries and that exported US$ 2,079 billion last year.
Leather Law’s infraction is considered an unfair competition crime according to the Brazilian Penal Code’s article 195. The offender can be forced to pay a fine or be arrested from 3 months to 1 year.
Source: www.cicb.org.br
Thaís Garcia
www.brazilianleather.com.br
From the Brazilian Leather Industry Association