Leather Testing Services

Ensure the quality and safety of your leather and leathergoods with Intertek’s comprehensive testing and assurance solutions

Leathergoods, including clothing, belts, as well as small goods, are not only high value items, but are also highly variable in terms of species, types of leather, dyeing / colour, chemicals employed in finishing and microbiological activity. Intertek has unparalleled expertise in identifying the species and the chemicals used in dyeing and finishing, ensuring that the products meet your quality requirements and the safety requirements of regions you market to such as GB Testing for entering China and more. Our laboratories have the precision and capabilities to validate professional leather clean labels, and can not only reveal any deficiencies, but also can suggest remedial measures.

Chemicals in Leather
Chromium (VI), certain azo colorants, formaldehyde and pentachlorophenol are harmful substances which may be found in leather. Intertek possesses high technology analytical equipment to determine low levels of these chemicals, which can cause health problems to consumers and/or pollute the environment.

Handbags and Small Luggage
The strength of strap fastenings is an important consideration in the quality assessment of handbags and luggage. Intertek is able to carry out all strength tests utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to assess the risk of strap failures, whether at fastenings (e.g., buckles) or where the strap is attached to the body of the item itself.

Belts
From an assessment of the components of a belt for labeling purposes, color fastness (wet and dry rub fastness, and more) to tarnishing of buckles and metal components, Intertek can test to all clients' requirements to ensure the products are “fit for purpose”.

Leather Clothing
Tests such as dry cleaning fastness, light fastness, finish adhesion and veslic rubbing can be carried out on finished garment or materials and components prior to manufacturing. Components such as zip, linings, interlinings and buttons should also be assessed for performance. In addition, a cleansing assessment on the whole garment may also be considered.

Small Goods (Purses and Wallets)
Test such as attachment strength of gilt corner pieces, clasp attachment, seam strength and abrasion resistance of linings, flex resistance of outers, and more, can all be carried out on small leathergoods items. Strap/handle strength tests, abrasion resistance, flex resistance and seam strength tests are all important for luggage items for obvious reasons. Our high capacity tensile testing equipment ensures that Intertek is able to test all luggage items beyond what may be expected of them in use.

In addition to the leather testing solutions stated above, Intertek also offers a full suite of services for each and every chemical found in your product including toxicity assessments, chemical certification and quality assurance solutions.