ISO 4683-3:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies guidelines for grading raw sheep skins on the basis of their mass and size.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 03-Sep-2026
• ICS: 59.140.20 - Raw skins, hides and pelts
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 120/SC 1 - Raw hides and skins, including pickled pelts
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 120/SC 1 - Raw hides and skins, including pickled pelts
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 04-Sep-2026
• Due Date: 22-Jan-2027
• Completion Date: 04-Sep-2026

Overview

ISO 4683-3:2026 establishes international guidelines for grading raw sheep skins based on mass and size. Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), this standard forms Part 3 of the ISO 4683 series, which addresses the classification and handling of raw sheep skins for the global leather industry. By providing clear grading criteria, ISO 4683-3:2026 enables consistent trading, supports product quality, and promotes transparency across supply chains.

Key Topics

Grading Criteria

• Mass Measurement: The mass of raw sheep skins is determined after removing excess salt and water, using precise weighing methods (to the nearest 0.01 or 0.1 kg depending on preservation type).
• Size Measurement:
  • Length is measured along the backbone line, from the tail root to the front throat.
  • Width is measured from the midpoint of the backbone to the belly edge.
  • Area is calculated by multiplying length and width.
• Categorization: Skins are classified into extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large categories, based on backbone length, area, and mass. Guidance is provided for varying preservation types: wet salted, dry salted, and sun-dried skins.

Standardized Presentation

• Skins must be presented with specific cuts: head cut behind ears, shanks cut above knee and hock, tail trimmed no more than 4 cm from the butt.
• Uniform preparation enhances comparability and grading accuracy.

Definitions

• ISO 4683-3:2026 includes terms relevant to raw sheep skin processing, such as "butt," "shanks," "dry salted skin," "wet salted skin," and "sun-dried skin," ensuring a common understanding internationally.

Applications

This ISO standard serves a wide range of practical applications across the supply chain:

• Leather Industry: Ensures raw material consistency for tanneries, leading to reliable leather quality.
• Trade and Procurement: Facilitates clear communication between buyers and sellers, especially in international markets, by aligning expectations regarding grade, mass, and size.
• Quality Control: Enables producers and inspectors to apply uniform grading systems, reducing disputes over classification and improving process efficiency.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists organizations in meeting the requirements of trade regulations and import/export standards for raw sheep skins.
• Traceability & Transparency: Improves supply chain traceability by providing objective, measurable grading criteria that can be audited and referenced in contracts.

Related Standards

Organizations working with ISO 4683-3:2026 may also benefit from consulting the following related standards:

• ISO 4683 Series: Addresses additional aspects of raw sheep skin handling and grading beyond mass and size.
• ISO/TC 120 Standards: Broader standards for leather and rawhide classification, preservation, and quality.
• Leather Industry Standards: Other ISO documents focused on testing methods, terminology, and quality benchmarks for hides, skins, and finished leather products.

Conclusion

Implementing ISO 4683-3:2026 improves the accuracy and consistency of raw sheep skin grading, supporting efficient trade and high product standards in the leather supply chain. Adhering to these international grading guidelines helps organizations remain competitive and compliant in a global market.

Keywords: ISO 4683-3:2026, raw sheep skins grading, mass and size, leather industry standards, sheep skin classification, rawhide quality, international trade compliance.

International
Standard
ISO 4683-3
First edition
Raw sheep skins —
2026-09
Part 3:
Guidelines for grading on the basis
of mass and size
Peaux brutes de moutons —
Partie 3: Lignes directrices pour le classement en fonction de la
masse et de la taille
Reference number
© ISO 2026
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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ISO copyright office
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Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Presentation . 2
5 Grading . 2
5.1 Measurement of length and area .2
5.2 Determination of mass .2
5.3 Grading on the basis of size and mass .2

iii
Foreword
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