ISO 15115:2019

Overview

ISO 15115:2019 – Leather Vocabulary is an international standard published by ISO that establishes a comprehensive set of terms and definitions used in the leather industry. This first edition provides a unified vocabulary for describing leather materials, processes, properties, and equipment related to leather production. It is essential for manufacturers, quality controllers, researchers, and technical professionals involved in leather processing and product development.

The standard ensures consistency and clarity across global leather trade, manufacturing, and quality assurance by offering precise terminology for all leather-related aspects. It fosters effective communication within the leather industry and supports conformity to international best practices.

Key Topics

ISO 15115:2019 covers a wide range of leather industry terminology, including but not limited to:

• Leather types and materials

  • Full grain leather, corrected grain leather, chrome-tanned leather, chrome-free leather, organic-tanned leather
  • Special products such as box calf leather, chamois, nappa, and patent leather

• Processes and treatments

  • Tanning and fatliquoring
  • Liming, bating, deliming, pickling, bleaching, and curing
  • Mechanical treatments like buffing, glazing, dry drumming, and plush wheeling

• Performance characteristics

  • Abrasion resistance, burst strength, flexural endurance, grain crack resistance, cold crack resistance
  • Crocking (color transfer), fog resistance, and break of leather

• Equipment and measurement

  • Instruments like barkometer and beams for processing hides
  • Physical property measures such as baume scale for liquid density

• Chemical and physical definitions

  • Basicity of chromium, degree of tannage, hide substance, and masking agents

The document extensively defines over 70 terms with clear explanations and notes to facilitate understanding within technical and commercial contexts.

Applications

ISO 15115:2019 serves multiple practical uses across the leather industry including:

• Standardizing communication for manufacturers, tanneries, and suppliers on leather classifications and treatments
• Supporting quality management systems by providing clear definitions for test methods, material specifications, and product descriptions
• Assisting in regulatory compliance and trade by aligning terminology with international customs and trade bodies
• Facilitating research and development by ensuring consistent vocabulary for innovation in leather processing and finishing techniques
• Enhancing training and education for industry professionals by serving as a reference glossary for technical skills and processes

This standard is valuable for stakeholders throughout the leather supply chain, from raw hide processing to finished product manufacturing.

Related Standards

Users of ISO 15115:2019 should consider it alongside other relevant international standards to cover related aspects of leather quality and testing:

• ISO 3379:2015 - Specifies methods for determining burst strength of leather
• ISO/IEC Directives Part 1 and Part 2 - Outline procedures for creating and maintaining ISO standards, including vocabulary standards
• Other specialized leather standards issued by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 120, addressing testing methods, environmental, and chemical safety requirements

Additionally, terminological databases like the ISO Online Browsing Platform and IEC Electropedia complement ISO 15115 by providing broader access to standardized terms used in allied industries.

ISO 15115:2019 offers an authoritative and practical lexicon designed to harmonize understanding and improve efficiency in global leather industry operations. Incorporating this standard into operational workflows promotes accuracy, enhances product quality, and supports international trade and compliance.