EN 16223-2012 pdf download.Leather – Requirements for the designation and description of leather in upholstery and automotive interior applications.
This EN 16223 specifies requirements for the designations and descriptions that should be used in public or commercial communications, labels or product descriptions when leather is used in upholstered furniture and automotive interior applications.
The designation or description of leather in footwear, leather goods and leather doming including gloves are not covered by this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 15987:2011 • Leather — Terminology — Key definitions for the leather trade
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 15987:2011 and the following apply.
seat or chair
independent piece of upholstered furniture intended for sitting purposes comprising contact and non contact areas
3.2
suite
combined pieces of upholstered furniture intended for sitting purposes comprising contact and non contact areas
3.3
upholstered furniture
furniture intended for sitting purposes comprising a frame, cushioning material and a covering, excluding loose cushions and free coverings, unless they are an integral part of the furniture
3.4
contact area
area of the seat or upholstered furniture, that comes into contact with the body Including the horizontal sitting cover, arm rests and vertical seat back
3.5
non-contact area
area of a seat or upholstered furniture that is not intended for sitting purposes including areas on the outsides and backs of the seat or upholstered furniture
3.6
automotive Interior
compartment in an automotive vehicle comprising at least seats, dashboard, panels, and centre console
3.7
automotive interior component
individual element of the automotive interior including seats, dashboard, panels, steering wheel, gear knob. headlining and console or any other relevant element of the vehicle interior
4 General principles
4.1 The guiding principle is that the term “Leather” should only be used if the upholstered furniture or automotive Interior or interior component (or a relevant part of it) is made of leather or covered with leather, and where the essential nature. appearance and performance of the upholstered furniture or automotive interior or automotive interior component is characterised by being made of leather. The description of the material should not materially mislead the consumer or user.
4.2 This document gives the general guidelines that should apply in the designation and description of upholstered furniture and automotive seating and interiors when reference is made to leather as a constituent material.
5 Requirements
5.1 Where the term “Leather” is used as a descriptor, at least 80 % of the expected surface area (or volume, as appropriate) of the component being described should be leather.
NOTE In the case of steering wheels, the expected surface area to be considered is limited to the ring.
5.2 Where the term “Full Leather” is used as a descriptor, all of the expected surface area (or volume, as
appropriate) of the component being described should be leather.
5.3 Where the type of leather is designated — for example “full grain leather” or “nappa leather” the
description should be accurate and in line with EN 15987.
5.4 Where only the “contact areas” are leather then the seat or upholstered furniture shall not be described
as “leather” unless the description “leather seat with non leather areas (e.g. outside arms and back)” is used.
5.5 A seat or upholstered furniture, may only be described as ‘leather” if both the ‘contact areas” and the “non contact areas” of the upholstered parts are leather (excluding buttons, piping etc. that are purely decorative in nature).
5.6 Steering wheels, gear knobs, panels and upholstered non-contact areas of seats in car interiors or of
upholstered furniture can be made of split leather and still comply with the requirements for using ‘Leather” as
a descriptor.
5.7 The designations “Leather Interior” or “Full Leather Interior” in an automobile shall be used where at least for seats, dashboard, panels and centre console (including gear shift skirt) meet the requirements of 5.1 to 5.6. Non-visible areas that are not covered with leather because they are intended to achieve a special function (e.g. anti-stick slip) shall not be considered for the calculation of the expected area. Also the use of special non-synthetic materials such as wood or metal for the steering wheel and the gear knob shall not be considered for the calculation of the expected area.
5.8 The designation “Leather Seats” in an automobile shall only be used for the whole seat, comprising both contact areas and non-contact areas The back part of rear seats shall not be considered for the calculation of the expected area.
5.9 The designation ‘Leather faced seats” shall only be used for the contact areas of the seat.
5.10 An automotive interior component – other than the seats – may only be described as ‘leather” if the upholstered parts are leather (ignoring buttons. piping, etc. that are purely decorative in nature).EN 16223-2012 pdf download.