State lawmakers in New York are considering a proposed law that would force automakers to be more transparent when it comes to labelling the materials used in vehicle interiors, especially faux leather.
“For too long, consumers have been misled by vague and deceiving terminology used to describe car interiors,” New York State assemblyman Charles Fall told the Staten Island Advance. “This legislation brings much-needed clarity and transparency to labelling materials used in seating, steering wheels, and gear shifters, empowering consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.”
For years, consumer watchdogs have raised red flags over automakers using confusing terminology to refer to their interior materials, often misleading customers into believing they’re purchasing leather upholstery when it’s anything but.
This bill could provide consumer protections and a boost to the leather industry, which has been struggling to educate the public about faux materials.
“Consumers don’t know what they’re paying for. It’s not necessarily all leather when you pay an upcharge for a premium product,” Denny Salas, senior vice-president of lobbyist Gotham Government Relations, told Leather International Magazine.
“The automotive industry has lobbied its way out of labelling laws,” Salas added. This means buyers don’t know what the “interactable surfaces of the automotive interior” are really made from.
The proposed law, currently being discussed in the consumer protection committee of the New York State Assembly, takes aim at inaccurate labelling of upholstery materials and misleading marketing practices.
The New York legislation is the first of its kind in the United States, but similar laws already exist in the European Union, according to Leather International. It’ll be interesting to see if it becomes law.
To read the full story, see: “Material Clarity for Vehicle Interiors.”
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