Uncovering the Secret of Leather Authenticity through Microscopy Technology

By: Rina Maulidiyah, LPPOM Auditor 

Leather identification technology, as demonstrated through halal leather microscopy testing, offers a scientific solution that accurately reveals the authenticity of leather. More than just a verification tool, this technology is a crucial part of halal leather certification, ensuring that every product sold is not only of high quality but also complies with Sharia standards. 

Leather products have now become an integral part of the modern lifestyle. From shoes and bags to belts and clothing, and even vehicle seats, leather is synonymous with elegance and high value. However, behind its alluring appearance, essential questions are becoming increasingly relevant: Is the leather genuine? And is it halal? 

Answering these questions requires more than just examining the skin. Leather identification technology, specifically through halal leather microscopy testing, is an effective solution that can provide fast and accurate answers. This test not only verifies authenticity but also plays a crucial role in the halal leather certification process. 

The Long Journey of Leather to Become a Product 

Leather is obtained as a byproduct of animal slaughter. After the meat and carcasses enter the food industry, the hides are directed to the tanning industry to undergo four main stages: pre-tanning, tanning, post-tanning, and finishing. 

• The pre-tanning stage aims to clean the raw hides and prepare them for the tanning process. This process includes soaking to remove dirt, de-hairing, and lime treatment to open the hide fibers. The hides are then cleaned of residual tissue, separated by thickness, neutralized of lime residue, and defatted using ethoxylated alcohol. 

• The tanning stage is crucial for preserving the hide and preventing spoilage. This process begins with lowering the pH, followed by tanning using chromium sulfate or vegetable oils. The hides are dehumidified, flattened, and adjusted to the desired thickness. The result is a wet blue finish, which is tanned but still wet. 

• The post-tanning stage aims to strengthen the structure, improve physical properties, add color, and soften the hide. The process includes pH balancing, washing, re-tanning, dyeing, applying softeners such as triphenyl phosphate, and drying. This stage produces crust leather, also known as dry hide. 

• The finishing stage is the final refinement. The hide’s moisture is restored, the surface is flexed, the texture is formed and then coated and patterned using heat and pressure. This produces finished leather, ready to wear and used in various products. 

Halal Standards Based on the MUI Fatwa 

According to MUI Fatwa Number 56 of 2014, animal hides may be used as long as they do not come from dogs or pigs. The skin of a halal animal carcass is indeed impure. Still, it can become pure after undergoing a proper tanning process, which involves removing dirt, mucus, and fishy odors, followed by thorough rinsing. 

MUI Fatwa Number 15 of 2021 emphasizes that tanning according to Sharia must meet the following requirements: it must be made from animals other than pigs and dogs, use methods to remove mucus and odors, clean the surface of dirt, and rinse thoroughly to ensure purity. Tanned leather may be used for consumer goods, but not for food. 

The Importance of Halal Leather Microscope Testing 

In the halal leather certification process, halal leather microscope testing is a crucial step in ensuring the source of the leather. This technology can identify the animal species from which the leather is derived through detailed observation of its fiber structure. However, the results of the microscope test are not the sole determinant of halal status. 

The halal status of a leather product is also influenced by additional ingredients used during the production process. For example, in the pre-tanning stage, ethoxylated alcohol, which can be derived from fatty acids, is used. The source of this ingredient must be ensured to be non-halal. Therefore, leather identification technology needs to be combined with a comprehensive halal audit. 

The LPPOM MUI laboratory, accredited with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, provides leather type testing services. This service is designed to meet the needs of industries seeking to ensure the authenticity, quality, and halal status of their leather products. All procedures are conducted using internationally recognized scientific methods, supporting a smooth halal leather certification process. 

For complete information about this service, please visit https://e-halallab.com/. With the proper knowledge and support from advanced leather identification technology, the authenticity and halal status of leather can be accurately determined, providing industry players and consumers with a sense of security. (RM) 

Source : https://halalmui.org/jurnal-halal/174/   

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