Gustavo Adrian Defeo FSLTC has been appointed to lead CEN TC 289 – a dedicated technical committee for Leather within the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). The appointment received 14 votes in favour and became effective on June 9, 2026, marking the start of a six-year term till 2032, reports La Conceria

The committee develops guidelines covering terminology, testing methods, quality requirements and product characteristics for raw hides and skins, tanned leather and finished leather used across the industry.

Gustavo Adrian Defeo is an Italian-Argentine chemist with 42 years of experience. Defeo brings a strong technical background to the role. He is a member of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (SLTC) and has worked as a consultant, researcher and specialist in colour physics.

He succeeds Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, former Secretary General of COTANCE and a long-standing figure in the leather industry.

He is not new to the committee’s work. He currently serves as Chairman of CEN TC 289 WG7, the Working Group for Physical and Fastness Tests.

He also serves as Chairman of ISO/IULTCS IUF, the international commission for leather fastness tests, and Chairman of ISO/IULTCS IUP, the international commission for physical and mechanical tests.

These roles allow him to align European and international standardisation activities, reduce duplication and accelerate updates to leather testing methods.

Under Defeo’s leadership, CEN TC 289 will focus on four priorities.

These include revising and updating existing EN standards to reflect advances in leather chemistry and testing methodologies, strengthening coordination with ISO/TC 120 to ensure global regulatory consistency, engaging with CEN TC 411 to support the recognition of leather’s bio-based credentials within the European regulatory framework and expanding outreach to industry stakeholders, research institutions and regulatory bodies to make standardisation more responsive to industry needs.