Bonded leather and the FTC Guides
Why the Guides say bonded material should not be called leather, and the disclosure they describe.
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What the Guides say
The Guides say material that contains "ground, pulverized, shredded, reconstituted, or bonded leather and thus is not wholly the hide of an animal should not be represented, directly or by implication, as being leather."
Accurate content statements
The Guides say this "does not preclude an accurate representation as to the ground, pulverized, shredded, reconstituted, or bonded leather content of the material."
If it looks like leather
The Guides say that if the material appears to be leather and the term bonded leather is used, the label should disclose "the percentage of leather fibers and the percentage of non-leather substances contained in the material." Their example: "Bonded Leather Containing 60% Leather Fibers and 40% Non-leather Substances."
Whose words these are
Material words on a shoe are the maker's label, not ours. We never say any shoe is leather.
This is general information, not legal or medical advice.
Sources: eCFR, 16 CFR Part 24, Guides for Select Leather and Imitation Leather Products.
FAQ
General information only, not medical advice. Material labels are the maker's: check the label for each part of the shoe. Fit varies by maker and by person, so check the maker's size chart and the return policy. If you have foot pain or a foot or health condition, talk to your doctor or a podiatrist.
Next: genuine leather
Not defined in Part 24.
