Despite EU ban workers are exposed in the leather production of toxic chromium

Despite EU ban: People are still exposed to toxic chromium in leather production
As of today, it is forbidden for merchants in the European Union to sell chromium-containing leather. The new EU regulation aims to protect shoppers from the health hazards associated with the dangerous production of leather. In the opinion of consumer advocates this is an improvement for the protection of consumers, the workers in the production facilities continue to be exposed to great dangers. Highly toxic chemicals endanger human health.

Big dangers for the people in the production plants
Tannery workers in countries such as Bangladesh and India continue to be exposed to the sometimes highly toxic chemicals. As part of the new "Change Your Shoes" campaign, the INKOTA network and SÜDWIND are calling on companies in the leather industry to sustainably improve the working and safety conditions in the producing countries of the global South and to increase transparency.

"The workers in the tanneries, for example in India or Bangladesh, are often completely vulnerable to the poisons used. That has to change, "says Lena Bullerdieck from the INKOTA network. "The import ban on chrome VI-containing leather is a first step. Now it has to be about adjusting leather production outside the EU. "80 to 85% of leather worldwide is tanned with chromium salts, although this chemical process poses risks to the environment and health. Chronic tanning is especially harmful if it leads to the undesired formation of chromium-V compounds, which are highly toxic and carcinogenic and can easily penetrate the skin. This can lead to skin and respiratory diseases for both the producers and wearers of the leather. In contrast to the abuses in the clothing industry, the inhumane working and production conditions in leather and shoe production are still largely unknown.

Campaign started
With the "Change Your Shoes" campaign, the INKOTA network and SÜDWIND, along with 16 other partner organizations in Europe and Asia, are working to expose grievances in shoe and leather production, including through research in China, India, Indonesia and Turkey. "Our goal is to achieve a fundamental improvement in the social and environmental production conditions in the leather and footwear industry. These include decent wages and secure jobs in tanneries and factories, "says Anton Pieper from SÜDWIND. (Sb)

/ Span>

Image: Rainer Sturm / pixelio.de