Overview - ISO/TR 2822-2:2017 (Leather - Raw cattle hides and calf skins)
ISO/TR 2822-2:2017 provides practical guidelines for grading raw cattle hides and calf skins on the basis of mass. Published as a Technical Report, it documents common trimming practices, mass-determination methods and country‑specific classification systems used by producing countries. The report is intended as a reference for the leather industry where variations in regional weight ranges make a single prescriptive standard impractical.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and terms: definitions for hide and skin types (e.g., cattle hide, calf skin, bull hide, veal skin, green/wet/dry salted and dried states).
- Trimming rules: recommended pre-weigh trimming for cattle hides (knee/hock trimming, removal of horns, tailbones, head meat, leaving cheeks as specified) and calf skins (short shanks, removal of tailbones and head).
- Determination of mass:
- Raw hides: weigh cattle hides to the nearest 0.5 kg, calf skins to the nearest 0.1 kg, with allowances for dung/flesh.
- Wet salted: procedures for opening, shaking/desalting, brushing and weighing (nearest 0.5 kg for hides, 0.1 kg for skins).
- Dry salted and dried material: guidance to open, shake off extraneous matter and weigh (nearest 0.1 kg).
- Country classifications: country-specific weight-class tables and measurement bases (green, wet‑salted, dry‑salted, dried). The report lists practices for Germany, North America, South America, China, India & Pakistan, UK, and regions in Africa, showing typical weight bands and approximate size conversions.
Practical applications and users
Who uses ISO/TR 2822-2:2017:
- Hide and skin traders and auction houses - for consistent mass-based grading and pricing.
- Tanneries and leather processors - to establish intake specifications and QC checks on raw material.
- Exporters/importers and supply chain managers - to interpret country-specific weight classes and prepare trade documentation.
- Standards bodies and consultants - as a reference when harmonizing local grading practices with international trade.
Practical benefits:
- Enables consistent mass-based grading, clearer commercial communication, and improved procurement decisions across regions with diverse grading traditions.
Related standards
- ISO 2820 - Leather - Raw hides of cattle and horses - Method of trim (referenced for optimum trimming methods).
Keywords: ISO/TR 2822-2:2017, grading cattle hides, calf skins, mass-based grading, hide classification, leather industry, raw hides, weight determination, trimming procedures.