Leather UK, the trade body that represents, promotes and protects the interests of the UK leather industry, has today announced its Leather for Life Swing Tag Project. The project is being supported by Leather UK member, The Worshipful Company of Curriers.
The initiative is designed to give consumers the most up-to-date, reliable information about leather, including facts about how leather is produced and its status as a by-product of the food industry.
A consumer research project carried out by Leather UK, Leather and the Consumer uncovered confusion and surprising levels of misinformation about leather. 50% of respondents believed that leather is derived from animals bred solely for their hides, with only 24% of people knowing that leather is a by-product of the meat and dairy industries. 13% of respondents claimed not to know where leather comes from at all.
Use of the swing tag label is available to anyone in the UK involved in the design, manufacture and retail of leather and leather products, as a means of educating their customers about leather. The tag will carry a QR code that leads to a bespoke area of the Leather UK website with information on all aspects of the material, from production to leather care and repair to a showcase of some of the most inspirational leather artisans working in the UK today.
Dr Kerry Senior, director at Leather UK, says: “We are incredibly excited to bring this project to life as an additional means of tackling the misinformation that surrounds leather, the material and the industry.”
Senior continues: “There is so much that is good about leather; it is hard-wearing, long-lasting and incredibly versatile. There is also a huge amount of work being done to reduce its environmental impact. As the trade body that promotes every part of the UK leather supply chain, from the manufacturers investing in R&D to innovate industrial processes on the path to carbon zero, to the talented craftspeople and successful brands and retailers across the country, we see this as an important step in ensuring consumers have access to reliable facts about leather so that they can support this great British industry.”
His Honour Richard Hawkins, QC, Master Currier adds: “The Worshipful Company of Curriers is delighted to be able to support Leather UK and the UK leather industry. We believe this initiative will play a key role in ensuring consumers understand what they are buying and thereby help British leather continue to thrive, securing proper recognition for its quality, longevity and sustainability.
For further information about the Swing Tag project email info@leatheruk.org.
