Leather industry update

Please find below a copy of all BLC Updates - Keeping you informed of the latest news and trends in the Leather Industry!

	April 2013 Update Successful Sustainability Conference held in Hong Kong REACH: Amendments to Test Methods and Restricted Substances SVHC"s '','' the risk in your products Key Movements Regarding Leather Definitions and Descriptions Improve your leather making skills The rise in NGO activity in the leather sector Environmental Impact of different tanning technologies Proposed Restriction on Lead in Consumer Products BLC leather training in Hong Kong Concern as hide prices continue to rise		March 2013 Update Sustainability is key for Hong Kong conference sponsors New nickel directive is imminent Carbon footprinting and leather Toy safety standard has new chemical requirements Proposition 65 pressures on upholstery sector US leather training - save the date!! Visit BLC at the Asia Pacific Leather Fair 2013 in Hong Kong A problem shared Managing chemicals in footwear production Are hide price rises sustainable?

	February 2013 Update China Water Shortage Presentation at 2013 HK Sustainability Conference Recurring Chrome VI Problems in Consumer Goods 54 New Substances Added to REACH SVHC Candidate List Heavy metal testing CE Marking under the RoHS Recast Leather dyeing and associated problems Greenpeace Increases DETOX Pressure Lindsay Sultana '','' Quality is everyone"s responsibility February Leather Training Courses Price rises reported through January		Winter 2012 Update Sustainability - Everyone is talking about it. Brand new Sustainability Workshop 87% of products classified as serious risk EU: Proposed Ban of PAH in Consumer Products BLC launches a new chemical testing website Tighter controls in Middle East on footwear Christmas testing deadlines Sustainability provides a focus at the Taiwanese Leather Association Conference 2013 Leather Training Courses Hide prices remain resistant to current price levels

	November 2012 Update New China GB Standard for shanks in footwear Chrome VI - a recurring problem Sustainability in the leather supply chain Do you know your POPs from your PAHs and PBTs? Finish failure in upholstery - the consumer perspective The Higg Index - reducing supply chain impact on the environment Mouldy products affecting retailers One Day Leather Workshop Denmark bans 4 phthalates Direction of hide prices remains unclear		October 2012 Update Are you ready for the mould season? China - constant product failures and import rejections Make leather in five days The carbon footprint debate - BLC conference in Hong Kong Common hardware problems for retailers How do you select your test house? Brands respond to Greenpeace concern on detox progress BLC consulting team at your service worldwide Consumers want goods tested for harmful substances Hide price situation continues unclear

	September 2012 Update Tighter controls at UK borders New nickel requirements The dangers of Dimethylfumarate (DMFU) Avoiding veins in leather Restricted substances in automotive leather Phthalates - a recurring problem Last chance to book your place New European regulation on biocidal products CE marking under the RoHS recast Hide markets awaiting direction		August 2012 Update ECHA updates SVHC Candidate List to contain 84 entries Sustainability targeted by key brands US violations: California Proposition 65 and CPSC The export and sale of products in China: important standards Georgina your new RSL contact at BLC: an introduction Rhode Island becomes the first state to regulate children's jewellery Enzymes in leather making Genuine leather? Last chance to book for August training courses Hide price situation unchanged

	July 2012 Update Lead-contaminated children's shoes seized in Seattle Mandatory testing programme requirements issued by CPSC US EPA adds 6 new categories of chemicals to priority testing list US labelling requirements for pesticide treated clothing Avoiding costly finish failures Purses with lead sold at popular US retailers consumer group finds Resistance to high prices continues Restricted substances made easy Supporting local talent at the Northampton Fashion Show Proud to be a member of BLC!		June 2012 Update 650,000 products, including footwear, seized at US ports Denim and dye staining on leather costing millions in claims Enhance your leather skills - 2 day leather training course Does your furniture pass flammability regulations? Tapping into the bio-diesel market using tannery waste September dates to be announced forUS leather training courses Footwear testing means top shoe performance Chrome. vegetable or aldehyde tannage - which is the greenest? No clear direction on hide prices SLTC Conference

	April/May 2012 Update DETOX - brands subscribe to zero discharge of hazardous chemicals by 2020 Chrome VI in leather articles to be considered under REACH regulations New changes to RoHS regulations come into effect in 2013 Banned DMF still being found in EU consumer products Consumer rights under REACH -45 day rule Achieving chemical compliance within your supply chain How much do you know about leather? Successful LWG meeting in Hong Kong Markets remain nervous about hide prices Career opportunities at BLC		March 2012 Update Accredited lead testing WARNING - Formaldehyde found in children's clothes Washington State targeting toxic chemicals Leather and so much more Supplying to the USA Don't let mould get the better of you Environmental protection high priority in California Growing NGO activity in China Successful Leather & the Environment Conference in Hong Kong Future direction of hide prices unclear

	February 2012 Update PUMA to speak at Leather and the Environment Conference Reducing manufacturing costs through efficient cutting systems Active policing identifies high incidence of phthalates in products BLC coming to America - US Leather Training Courses Water - a precious commodity US states addressing toxic chemical concerns Lead, mercury and cadmium in children"s products Brands targeted by an aggressive detox campaign Experiencing problems with mould, warping, tarnishing, etc? Hide price uncertainty continues		January 2012 Update Leather and the Environment Conference First Endocrine Disruptor added to REACH Candidate List for SVHC NPEOs, NGOs and toxic chemicals European Developments in Leather Labelling Chrome VI found in babies shoes Luxury Brands Develop Markets in China Leather Terminology International Legislation - Are you compliant? 2012 Leather Training Courses Hide Prices

	November/December 2011 Update Phthalates - Guidance on legislation REACH and Chrome VI Solutions to reduce customer returns Mould made simple Understanding RoHS Specialist cleaning of leather garmen BLC extends biodegradability testing to plastic materials Leather Working Group meeting hosted by TFL FDRA Product Safety and Environment Conference Ease in hide prices		October 2011 Update CPSC targets cadmium in children's jewellery Chrome VI found in leather shoes Do you have problems with metal components? The importance of standards Managing chemicals effectively Strong leather sector reflects growth in China Leather training for your company needs BLC presents at the IULTCS Congress in Spain Help is at hand with REACH Top end demand holds up hide prices

	September 2011 Update Greenpeace Dirty Laundry 2 - Toxic Chemicals REACH: 20 potential new SVHCs Proposition 65 - 39 Chemicals under scrutiny Mouldy leather is preventable - you can do something about it! The Affordable Footwear Act in the US Deforestation in Brazil and traceability BLC at Product Safety Environment Workshop in US Hide Prices Leather Training - improve your leather knowledge Like BLC on Facebook		August 2011 Update CPSC stay of enforcement for phthalates testing CPSIA Reform Bill ECHA sunset dates for phthalates RAPEX alert system for dangerous consumer products The importance of shoe fitting Flammability Testing BLC water and energy saving solutions Do you need to know more about leather? Follow us on Twitter Hide Prices remain uncertain

	July 2011 Update CPSC Important Lead Update Prop65 and the Leather Industry The importance of safety testing for children's products Problems with Product Consistency? August Leather Training Courses Join BLC on LinkedIn ECHA updates the REACH candidate list Hide Prices Uncertain Spreading the news Review of Pricing		June Update 2011 BLC Helping you to interpret REACH REACH: New EU Cadmium Restrictions Expert Tips to Minimise Finish Failure in Leather Upholstery Skin Protein Analysis for Biomaterials Footwear Problems on the Rise PAH's: Potential Contaminants in Footwear Components Leathergoods and Hardware Workshop Add Value with BLC Leathermarks Hide Powder for Analysis Hide Prices Remain at a High Level

	May Update 2011 Update on REACH - New Obligations European Parliament Approves New Textile Labelling Rules for Fur and eather Retailers Decreasing Limits of Formaldehyde Boric Acid - Expanded Regulations LWG Improves RSL Management Chromium and Leather Hide Prices Remain High BLC in the USA Smelly Leathers Cause Concern for Retailers Understanding Leather Course		March 2011 Update Transparency and traceability discussed at sustainability event Hide prices reach a ten year high! Trends to be presented at Hong Kong conference Water and Energy Savings Bagginess problems Metal and hardware testing Social auditing Leather measurement BLC- covering all your training needs Leathermarks from BLC DMF restrictions extended

	February 2011 Update BLC/FDRA launch restricted substance guideline for footwear manufacturers Sourcing, Safety & Sustainability Conference Hong Kong - 31 March 2011 New York Leather Course - 1 March 2011 Flammability testing Biodegradability testing Slip resistance testing LWG Update International hide prices CPSC - Lead in childrens shoes Member discount on chemical testing		January 2011 Update Sourcing, Safety & Sustainability Conference Leather Conference, Hong Kong ECHA adds eight substances to the candidate list for authorisation Chrome VI found in textiles PFOS testing Lead and Pthalates testing BLC leather training courses for 2011 Footwear safety testing Anti-dumping duties on leather footwear Shoe fit and assessments Membership benefits

	November 2010 A problem shared - Mould China - GB Standards Technical Committee Update Enhanced Metal Testing Capability at BLC Hide Prices November 2010		October 2010 Proposition 65 BLC/FDRA Training in New York A problem shared: Mould and Mildew Leather Working Group - review of meeting Sept 2010 BLC membership benefits

	May 2010 BPA in Baby Products BLC Mexico Leather Project New Substances added to RoSH Directive Wireless Transmission for Digital Gauges CPSC Developments		December 2009 ST300 Softness Tester REACH Update EU Footwear Anti-Dumping Duties Chemical Testing Services Proposition 65

	September 2009 Enzymes CPSIA Lead Regulations Deforestation in Brazil BLC Training		July 2009 LWG and deforestation in Brazil Sure family of leathermarks Chrome VI REACH Training at BLC

	May 2009 Leather training at BLC BLC Funding for Training New Courses Chromium VI China		March 2009 CPSC Tracking Labels DMF Organotins BLC Global Market Study REACH

	February 2009 Shoe Testing Reach, Phthalates BLC and Nike Co-Host Leather Summit on RSL Training		January 2009 CPSC Bans Phthalates REACH SVHCs NPEOs Leathersure Hide Powder

	December 2008 DMF in Shoes LWG Protocol Antimony Microbiology Testing Training		November 2008 REACH CPSC Approval Formaldehyde Problem Solving Training at BLC

	October 2008 Azo Dyes REACH Leather Seminar Nickel Testing Training at BLC		September 2008 PFOS/PFOA Flammability Testing Leather in Retail Seminar Consulting Technology Training at BLC

	August 2008 Mercury and Leather Verification US Law Curbs Lead and Phthalates Training at BLC Testing Response Times		July 2008 New Restriction on PFOS Cadmium Summer Shoe Fit Training at BLC

	June 2008 Bisphenol A and Nickel Release Testing Shoe Fit Next Day Analytical Testing Pakistan - Economics Training at BLC		May 2008 Lead and REACH Guidance PVC Migration Testing USA - Statistical Snapshot Training at BLC

	April 2008 Chrome VI and Footwear Testing Leather Working Group China - Statistical Snapshot Training at BLC		March 2008 Light Fastness Heat and Humidity Testing Facility Legislation on Cat and Dog Fur Training at BLC

	February 2008 New Leathermarks NPEO Legislation Shoe Fit Service Arrival of LCMS Training at BLC		January 2008 Eco Leathers REACH Training at BLC