Editorial

Editorial nº 86

Editorial

In the century in which we live, information flows quickly through various media and, for this reason, society quickly learns the benefits and risks that the products they consume may cause to their health.

When I refer to consumption, this includes not only food and products for domestic use and personal care, but also those that constitute a person's clothing, home furnishing, etc..

Knowing the risks, means that consumers will be more sensitive and demanding; want to know exactly what is used and how the item they wish to buy is produced.

Unfortunately, in many cases, the information is incomplete or incorrect, causing consumers to be confused and this may result in a damage to the industry, difficult to be repaired.

Sometimes, the studies about different products from which those statements or conclusions come from, have no scientific rigor. For example, the number of samples analyzed is not sufficient to consider that the results are indeed representative of the universe they refer to.

What was stated above, occurs frequently nowadays referring to leather and leather manufactures. The list of banned and restricted substances in leather production has been growing in recent years and suppliers of chemicals for tanneries, responded and continue to respond to these requests promptly.

People who produce leather and leather goods, must provide their clients and the consumers all the information regarding the production process and the chemicals used in it to make them feel confident and secure.

The information provided must be based on the results of laboratory tests carried out in accordance with current international standards for leather. Logically, this implies a cost many times higher in Argentina than in other countries because laboratories that can perform all required analyzis do not yet exist and therefore the samples must be sent to laboratories abroad.

I think one of our responsibilities as chemists and leather technicians, is to clarify, with the utmost scientific rigor we can, any incorrect or misleading information that may affect the industry we work at, remarking that social ethics and responsibility for the environment care are values associated to our business.

Lic. Patricia Casey - Presidente