FprEN 18336

• Abstract:

  This document specifies requirements to grade hides and skins according to the defects listed in EN 16055. It applies to raw bovine hides and skins, both fresh and salted, intended for use throughout the leather manufacturing supply chain.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 13-Jan-2027
• ICS: 59.140.20 - Raw skins, hides and pelts
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 289 - Leather
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 289/WG 4 - Technical specifications on the use of leather and terminology
• Current Stage: 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
• Start Date: 31-Jul-2026
• Due Date: 14-Sep-2027
• Completion Date: 31-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 18336:2026 - Leather - Raw bovine hides and skins - grading

Overview

FprEN 18336: Leather - Raw bovine hides and skins - grading is a European standard developed by CEN Technical Committee 289. This standard outlines the requirements for grading raw bovine hides and skins, both fresh and salted, intended for use throughout the leather manufacturing supply chain. Its primary focus is on consistency, ensuring that the classification of hides and skins is based on an agreed set of defect criteria, as listed in EN 16055. By providing a clear framework for grading, FprEN 18336 supports fair trade practices, quality assurance, and efficiency in the leather industry, from the processing of raw materials to end-product manufacturing.

Key Topics

• Scope of Application: FprEN 18336 applies to all raw bovine hides and skins, regardless of preservation method (fresh or salted), intended for leather production.
• Defect-Based Grading: Grading is based on visible defects, with requirements referencing EN 16055 for detailed defect descriptions.
• Quality Categories: The standard defines four main grading classes:
  • First Selection: High-quality hides or skins with minimal or no visible defects.
  • Second Selection: Hides or skins with isolated minor defects, mostly limited to small, defined areas.
  • Third Selection: Hides or skins with more numerous and/or larger defects, primarily situated in edge areas, including allowances for major surface or shape issues.
  • Rejects: Hides or skins with excessive, extensive, or unacceptable defects, unsuitable for most manufacturing processes.
• Terminology and Definitions: Specific terms such as grub, warble fly, scabies, and alopecia are clarified to ensure consistent interpretation.
• Practical Grading Guidance: The document describes the evaluation of each hide or skin, including acceptable defect limits, handling of mis-shaping, and contamination (e.g., dung).

Applications

FprEN 18336 is essential for multiple stakeholders across the leather supply chain, including:

• Agriculture and Slaughterhouses: Apply the standard to segregate raw hides and skins by grade at source, optimizing value and streamlining logistics.
• Hide and Skin Processors: Use consistent grading to improve processing efficiency and reduce the risk of disputes with buyers.
• Tanneries: Ensure predictability in raw material quality for better planning and resource allocation during tanning and finishing.
• Leather Goods Manufacturers: Benefit from a reliable supply of graded materials, supporting higher quality end products and better compliance with customer requirements.
• Trade and Export: Minimize misunderstandings in domestic and international trade by relying on a harmonized grading system, facilitating smoother transactions and contracts.

Related Standards

For the proper application of FprEN 18336, familiarity with the following standards is vital:

• EN 15987: Provides key terminology and definitions for the leather trade.
• EN 16055: Details requirements for the description, presentation, and preservation of raw bovine hides and skins, including the classification and listing of possible defects.
• ISO and IEC Terminology Databases: ISO Online browsing platform and IEC Electropedia offer authoritative glossaries for standardization.

By aligning with EN 16055 and leveraging the terms from EN 15987, FprEN 18336 ensures comprehensive coverage for raw hide and skin grading, forming a crucial part of quality assurance in the leather industry.

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Keywords: raw bovine hides, skin grading, leather standard, quality classification, raw skin defects, CEN leather standards, EN 16055, EN 15987, leather supply chain, tanneries, hide processing, European Standards for leather

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2026
Usnje - Surove goveje kože - Razvrščanje
Leather - Raw bovine hides and skins - grading
Leder - Rohe Häute und Felle von Rindern - Bewertung
Cuir - Peaux brutes de bovins - Classement
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 18336
ICS:
59.140.20 Surove kože, kože in kožuhi Raw skins, hides and pelts
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 18336
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2026
ICS 59.140.20
English Version
Leather - Raw bovine hides and skins - grading
Leder - Rohe Häute und Felle von Rindern - Bewertung
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 289.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 18336:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 18336:2026 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Requirements for the grading of hides and skins . 5
4.1 General. 5
4.2 First selection . 6
4.3 Second selection . 6
4.4 Third selection . 8
4.5 Rejects . 10

prEN 18336:2026 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 18336:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 289 “Leather”,
the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
prEN 18336:2026 (E)
Introduction
This document is intended to avoid disagreements between parties. It is the result of discussions with
representatives of agriculture, slaughterhouses, hides and skins processors and tanneries.
prEN 18336:2026 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements to grade hides and skins according to the defects listed in
EN 16055. It applies to raw bovine hides and skins, both fresh and salted, intended for use throughout
the leather manufa
...