News Article

Do you know the difference between Leather Verification, Species Testing & Leathermark Verification?

BLC are internationally renowned leather experts with a prominent presence throughout the industry with over 95 years of experience. BLC are also experts in leather testing, problem solving, auditing, consulting and sustainability services.

BLC offer a range of leather testing and verification services, and to ensure you are choosing the right tests, it is important to understand the difference between them.

Leather Verification

This test is used to verify whether a material is leather and what terminology can be used to market your product for retail. BLC carries out leather verification to BS 2780: 1983+A1:2013.

View BLC’s Leather Verification Service

Species Testing

Species testing is the testing of samples to determine what species of animal the leather has originated from. BLC can identify whether your leather is from a cow, sheep, pig, goat or from another animal type, through the process of microscopy which involves examining the grain of the leather (this is not possible for suedes and nubucks or leather where the grain is removed).

View more on BLC Species Testing

Leathermark Verification (Leathersure)

The Leathermark is a well-known certified consumer trademark used to identify genuine leather products and used successfully as a marketing tool by brands and retailers.

BLC hold exclusive licensing rights for the Leathermark in the UK, therefore all products bearing the Leathermark logo for sale within the UK must first be verified by BLC. For products to pass Leathermark verification, at least 80% of the surface area must be genuine leather (as defined in BS 2780).

The use of the Leathermark is exclusive to Leathermark subscribers, BLC Members and their suppliers.

Leathermark verification can only be carried out on whole products.

View BLC’s Leathermark Verification Service

More Leather Tests

In addition to the leather verification services mentioned, BLC also carry out a wide range of physical and chemical tests on leather.

Physical Leather Testing & Fault Diagnosis Services:

• Physical leather tests for leather samples and products
• Specialist leather tests
• Leather problem solving & fault diagnosis
• Leather upholstery fault diagnosis
• Mould assessment & problem solving

Chemical Tests on Leather:

• Chrome VI testing
• REACH testing (European Union)
• Azo dyes testing
• Formaldehyde testing
• Lead testing
• Cadmium testing
• PFOS testing to 1µg/m2
• Wet blue testing for leather production

Need your leather testing? Contact BLC today

If your business needs to carry out leather verification, species testing, Leathermark verification or another type of leather testing on your products, get in touch with our friendly and helpful team of leather experts at BLC via [email protected] or call us on +44 (0)1604 679 999.