Leather - a natural product, which is generally an animal by-product from the meat industry, has a high regard among consumers for its appealing physical, visual and other sensory properties. The product leather has it own official definition which is set-out by the International Council of Tanners (ICT) among others and includes splits, suede, skivers and nubuck etc within the remit for what should be correctly termed a genuine leather article or product.
However, some in the leather industry believe that the faux, artificial or synthetic ‘leather' manufacturers are using the genuine leathers highly regarded image and quality among consumers to promote their own manmade products by the association with the word ‘leather'.
Although synthetics have to be clearly labelled in all finished products the use of the world ‘leather' should be protected and used only for genuine leather products, which meet the true definition.
Champagne for example, can only be called or labelled, as champagne if it comes from the champagne region of France and other countries or regions making similar products cannot use the name.
