The law is an asset

A new law protecting leather’s identity will come into force in Italy in October. It will provide greater clarity for consumers and protect them from sellers of synthetics that seek to deceive them. It will also help make clearer the distinction between leather and plastic.

Ten arguments that make clear leather’s connection to the circular economy. CREDIT: WTP/FLATICON

There is no over-stating the importance of a new law protecting leather’s identity that will come into force in Italy in October. Approved by the country’s council of ministers at the end of May, a new decree on what manufacturers and brands can and cannot call leather was published in the government’s official journal of record on June 26 and is now part of the laws of the land. Laws come into force 120 days after publication, which makes October 24 the date for the changes to take effect.

Italian politicians leaving a council of ministers meeting in the Palazzo Chigi in Rome in June. CREDIT: ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

This will help leather win the recognition it deserves as a wonderful example of the circular economy in action. It is a clear and obvious demonstration that human beings are capable of taking waste material and turning it into something useful, versatile, valuable and beautiful; we have been doing this for millennia. However, it’s clear that some companies misuse the term ‘leather’ by applying it to synthetic substitutes; they are detracting from this noble…