28 Oct Bio-Based Leather Alternatives: What Buyers Should Know About Testing, Certifications and Compliance

Sustainability claims are easy to make and hard to check. For buyers sourcing leather alternatives, certificates and test reports are what turn a marketing story into something you can put your brand’s name to. This guide explains the documents that matter and the questions to ask.

1. Bio-based content certification

“Plant-based” says nothing about how much of the material actually comes from plants. Bio-based content is measured by radiocarbon (carbon-14) analysis, standardised as ASTM D6866, which distinguishes recently living carbon from fossil carbon.

The USDA BioPreferred® Program uses this method to certify products and lets them carry the “USDA Certified Biobased Product” label showing the verified percentage. Other schemes include TÜV Austria OK biobased and DIN CERTCO. What to ask: the certified percentage, the certificate number and which product grades it covers.

2. Vegan certification

Animal-free raw materials are not always enough; some processing aids, adhesives or finishes can be animal-derived. Certifications such as PETA-Approved Vegan confirm that a material contains no animal-derived ingredients. What to ask: which certification, and whether it covers the exact material and finish you are buying.

3. Chemical compliance

REACH (EU). Under REACH, suppliers of articles must tell customers if any Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) on the Candidate List is present above 0.1% by weight. REACH is a regulation, not a certification, so the usual evidence is a supplier declaration of SVHC content, supported where needed by test reports. Specific restrictions (for example on certain phthalates, PAHs or DMF) also apply.

California Proposition 65 (US). Prop 65 requires warnings for products that expose consumers to listed chemicals above safe-harbour levels. Brands selling into California usually ask suppliers to confirm compliance.

Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs). Many brands follow their own RSL or the AFIRM RSL. Ask whether the material has been tested against yours.

4. Performance test reports

Certificates do not tell you how a material performs. Ask for reports from accredited laboratories for abrasion, flex, tensile, tear and colour fastness, plus sector-specific tests: flammability (e.g. FMVSS 302 or ISO 3795), fogging and VOC emissions for automotive, and ignition resistance (e.g. EN 1021 or BS 5852) for upholstery. See how to evaluate plant-based leather.

5. Environmental claims and LCA

Claims such as “lower carbon” or “less water” should be backed by a life cycle assessment following ISO 14040/14044, ideally third-party reviewed. Claims of “biodegradable” or “compostable” need specific test standards. Regulators in the EU and elsewhere are tightening rules on unsupported green claims. Read understanding LCA and is plant-based leather biodegradable?

A buyer’s checklist

• Bio-based certificate with percentage and certificate number
• Vegan certification covering the exact grade
• SVHC declaration (REACH) and Prop 65 statement
• RSL test report, if your brand has one
• Accredited performance test reports for your application
• Safety Data Sheet and technical data sheet
• Basis for any environmental claims

Terratan’s documentation

Terratan™ is a USDA Certified Biobased Product (up to 89% bio-based content), PETA-Approved Vegan and California Prop 65 compliant. For REACH, we provide SVHC declarations on request. We also provide a technical data sheet and a Safety Data Sheet for buyers evaluating the material.

Work with Terratan

Terratan™ is Bharat Biomaterials’ plant-based leather alternative, made from agricultural residue and produced in continuous rolls in India. Explore the material, read about our sustainability approach, or contact our team to request the technical data sheet and samples.