ECHA apologises for ‘carcinogenic leather’ claims

The organisation reportedly inferred that leather automatically contains chromium VI.

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has apologised for publishing an infographic which attributed carcinogenic properties to footwear and leather goods. As part of its ‘Preventing Cancer’ campaign, ECHA reportedly gave the impression that leather automatically contains chromium VI which is likely to cause cancer.

ECHA was made aware of the error in a joint letter from the Confederation of National Associations of Tanners and Dressers of the European Community (COTANCE) and the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC). This highlighted that chromium VI is not used for tanning leather and that chromium tanning is not the only method utilised. The letter also stressed their belief that unwarranted consumer concern had been caused.

The chemical agency's reply to the complaint stated: “We apologise for this error and have corrected the infographic, as soon as our attention was drawn to it, to reflect the actual situation. We have also removed the LinkedIn post referred to in your letter.”

However, while both COTANCE and CEC have acknowledged ECHA’s swift action, they have also expressed ‘profound disappointment’ at what they call ‘its failure to take full responsibility for the damage caused to these sectors’.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 3 of the May 2024 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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