It has once again demonstrated that the leather and leather products sector does not use substances harmful to the environment and nature and that leather processing tanneries are transformation centers.
ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency, had created an infographic saying that leather products or footwear “Everyday objects contain cancer-causing chemicals and their use is now restricted by the European Commission”. (Cr VI), claiming that they have cancer-causing properties. ECHA has officially apologized for publishing and disseminating it inaccurately.
COTANCE, the European Tanners’ federation, and CEC, the European Footwear federation, have issued a joint statement. They condemned an infographic and related LinkedIn Post on ECHA’s website on the “Prevent Cancer” campaign as inaccurate and misleading and reminded the Agency that “Chromium VI is not used for leather tanning and Chromium tanning is not the only tanning” and that the industry’s methodology had presented the impression through an infographic that leather automatically contains Chromium VI and that its presence can cause cancer. This creates unwarranted concerns in consumers that may lead them away from leather goods.”
CEC Secretary General Carmen Arias: “ECHA’s correction is good, but we regret that they did not fully address our concern; they handled the matter as a simple ‘editorial error’. We believe the damage to the reputation and attractiveness of the leather value chain will require more.”
Gustavo González, Secretary General of COTANCE: “This will be further proof of ECHA’s claimed commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability.”
