LEATHER NATURAL MARKINGS MANUAL

(NAFTA Region Sourced)

Final Draft – 11/2/15

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I – Purpose – Page 3

II – Application – Page 3

III – Zone Definitions – Page 3

IV – Conditions of Use – Page 4

V- Natural Markings Categories and Definitions – Pages 4 - 8

VI – Specifications – Grades of Surface Defects and Natural

Markings – Pages 9 - 12
Table A – Seating
Table B – Wrapped Parts
Table C – Steering Wheels, DAB’s & Shifters

VII – Acceptable Assembly of Leather Natural Markings

Manuals – Pages 13 – 14

VIII – Location of approved Leather Natural Markings Manuals –

Page 15

IX – Natural Marking Manual Request Process – Page 15

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 I - PURPOSE
The intent of this manual is to provide a decision guideline for the assessment of leather
natural markings. FCA US recognizes the need to define a standard that acknowledges
natural markings in leather are conclusive proof of the natural origins of high quality leather.
Leather natural marking categories are considered maximum acceptable conditions.

Though these samples are in the flat state, it is intended that this standard or the severity of
this standard should be compared to the natural markings in the completed component (i.e.,
seating or other component shown in the application section below) as it is fully trimmed up in
its final state as shipped to the applicable FCA assembly plant. In other words if the fully
assembled component makes the natural marking look more severe than that depicted in this
manual, then the component is unacceptable, even if the natural markings in its cut pattern
form is deemed to be acceptable.

All materials must pass MS-JK-4000 (Seating); MS-JK-4100 (Steering Wheel); or MS-JK-4200
(Wrapped Parts, Upper I/P, and Upper Door Trim) specifications.

II - APPLICATION
The FCA Leather Natural Markings Manual is applicable to seats, instrument panels, center
consoles, door panels, etc. and all interior commodities where leather is used.

III - ZONE DEFINITIONS

Zone definitions are determined by the Program and Engineering Teams. Refer to the
individual Source Package for call outs.

General Zone Definitions:

→ A+ Zones are determined for those areas with specific concerns for high visibility or high
touch (e.g. prominent region of the instrument panel).
→ A Zones are primarily based on visibility. (e.g. inserts, upper panels etc.).
→ B Zones are typically those areas not readily visible in normal use of the part.
→ C Zones are not visible and not accessible to touch.

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 IV - CONDITIONS OF USE
For the standard to be effective it is necessary that all leather parts, be it sewn or unsewn,
assembled or unassembled, should be viewed under normal, or equivalent to FCA Assembly
Plant CPA Audit Bay lighting conditions, with the naked eye, and the part in question should be
viewed at 50 cm (i.e. at arms-length) and multiple angles for approximately 35-45 seconds.

In the event of a dispute, the final decision will be made using the Leather Natural Markings
Manual which is located at FCA Design Office, Interior Mastering Studio. It will be used by the
supplier of the commodity, the Quality Department and the Interior Mastering Studio for final
disposition.

V- NATURAL MARKING CATEGORIES AND SPECIFICATIONS

BUTCHER CUTS

Definition:
Damage to hides caused by improper removal from the animal. Damage is usually in the form
of cuts or furrows on the flesh side. Though minor butcher cuts are allowed, however, the
thinnest area of the hide, typically at the tip of the depth of the cut, must still meet minimum
tear strength requirements. Leather must maintain a minimum 0.9 mm thickness in the area of
the cut. Additionally the flap must not be long enough or flimsy enough to be flipped/folded
over when trimmed to create a bump on the top surface of the trimmed part.

FLANK / LOOSE GRAIN

Definition:
Flank leather comes from the stomach / armpit area of the animal, while loose grain may come
from anywhere on the hide. Flanky leather is extremely loose on the flesh side of the hide and
is characterized by long fibers, while loose grain has a more open fiber structure. Flank is a
naturally occurring alteration of the skin, which is loose and open to accommodate for stretch
and movement, while loose can be naturally occurring or caused by processing. Flank / loose
grain leather is not poor quality leather; it only differs in appearance from other parts of the
hide. Samples showing severity of flank / loose grain should be reviewed for size of flank /
loose grain area as well as the degree of looseness and surface appearance. For seating,
flank / loose grain areas need to meet ‘Wrinkle-o-Meter’ requirements of MS-JK-4000.

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 FOREIGN PARTICLES
Definition:
Foreign particles are caused by material being trapped either between the base coat and color
coat or color coat and top coat of the finish, leaving a slight rise in the surface of the leather.
As of 2009 and beyond FCA US no longer accepts this as a natural mark and as such
will not be included in the books.

GRAIN BREAK
Definition:
Grain break is characterized by small areas of tiny lesions on the grain side of the leather.
Grain break appears throughout different areas of the hide. This can be brought about by
being over-stretched (close to tear point) before the hide is tanned. Most grain breaks occur
when a hide puller, used in removing the hide from the animal, over stretches the hide.

GRAIN/TEXTURE VARIATION

Definition:
Natural grain variation or embossed texture retention variation is characterized by deeper more
prominent pattern in one area than another. This is caused by the natural fiber structure
variation in the hide. Variations within the limits of the samples in this book are acceptable.
Variations range from maximum acceptable grain to minimum acceptable grain definition. If
provided, the standard may show maximum variation between adjacent panels (maximum vs.
minimum variation).

GRUBS
Definition:
Healed grubs are the result of the repair process of nature which takes place after the fully
mature grub erupts from the hide to pupate and develop into the warble fly. The circular scar
must be covered with no openings in the finish. Unhealed grubs are not allowed.

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 HEALED SCARS
Definition:
A healed scar is a cut, which has occurred while the animal is still alive and has had a chance
to heal. They appear as scars that usually rise above the normal skin surface.
These scars are more visible after processing depending on the color of the leather and the
length and width of the scars. Even though some of these scars can be large or heavily
concentrated, slight scars are acceptable in leather because a more natural look results.

When determining acceptability for healed scars, any ridge that can be cleanly caught with a
fingernail, or picked off are unacceptable. Healed scars must have good color and no break in
the finish.

MANGE / MANURE BURNS

Definition:
Mange is a parasitic skin disease, which results in leather with a course and scarred grain,
prominent hair pockets and soft spots in the leather. Minor severity mange within the
standard is acceptable.

Manure burn leaves rough spots and heavy coarseness on the hide from the animal lying on
the manure for an extended time. Minor severity manure burns within the standard are
acceptable.

NECK WRINKLES / SKIN FOLDS

Definition:
A neck wrinkle is wrinkled leather that is taken from the neck region of the hide. This leather
usually feels thicker and stiffer than backbone and belly area leather. The wrinkles are
different in length and depth, and usually run at right angles to the backbone of the animal. As
the wrinkles run from the backbone of the animal, they sometimes divide into many wrinkles
before ending.

For acceptability determination compare samples for depth, width and quantity of wrinkles
depicted in the samples.

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 OPEN / UNHEALED SCARS

Definition:
Open scars are cuts, which occur after the animal is dead or just before it dies, resulting in
open lesions that do not have a chance to heal. These cuts range from fine scratches to deep
open scratches, which are unsightly and may potentially weaken the leather.

When determining acceptability for unhealed scratches, any ridges that can be cleanly caught
with a fingernail, or picked off are unacceptable. Unhealed scars must have good color and no
break in the finish.

PITS / INSECT BITES

Definition:
Pits are small indentations on the finished side of the leather hide caused from insects and
resemble small pinpricks. If they are small and are kept to a minimum, they are usually
acceptable. If they are large, deep and concentrated, they are unacceptable. They must be
completely finished.

SORES
Definition:
Sores include a number of different blemishes; such as scratches, cuts, punctures or other
injuries, which cause lesions to the skin or hide. These usually show as circular areas of
various sizes. Many sores are caused by ringworm.

SUCKOUTS

Definition:
Suckouts are softer thinner areas of the hide and are often inconspicuous on the finished side.
Suckouts occur during skiving or shaving of the hide to the desired thickness. Suckouts result
when there is improper feeding (wrinkles) of the shaving machine and the tool jerks abruptly
against the leather surface. This can cause an undesirable thickness or hole in the leather.

There should be no visible indentation when trimmed up into a finished component.

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 VEINS

Definition:
Areas caused by surface veins on the animal. Veins must be shallow, with no deep voids or
openings in the surface finish. As of 2014, veins are no longer acceptable, except on
Laguna seating leather.

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VI – Specifications – Grades of Surface Defects and
Natural Markings (Tables A – C)
Note – Actual samples should also be referenced for the severity of the marks.

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Table A – Seating, Door Bolster / Armrest, Console Lid
A+ Zone A Zone B Zone

Butcher Cuts One cut @ 30 mm with flap intact – in One cut @ 40 mm with flap intact –
Not allowed a 200 mm x 200 mm area. a slight void on the upper surface in
a 200 mm x 200 mm area.
Flank/Loose Mild on cut piece and may show some Coarse on cut piece and may show
Grain Not allowed loose grain. some loose grain.
(samples in light
color) Not allowed on front seat cushion Not allowed on front seat cushion
outboard bolsters. Not allowed on outboard bolsters. Not allowed
laminated parts. on laminated parts.
Foreign
Particles Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed

Grain Break One cluster @ 10 mm in length – no One cluster @ 30 mm in length – no

Not allowed wider than 2 mm over a 200 mm x 200 wider than 3 mm over a 200 mm x
mm area. 200 mm area.
Grain/Texture Samples in leather natural Samples in leather natural markings Samples in leather natural markings
Variation markings books are maximum books are maximum allowable. books are maximum allowable.
(samples in dark allowable.
color)
Grubs Three @ < 3 mm in diameter and Three @ < 5 mm in diameter and Three @ < 5 mm in diameter and
cannot be raised in a 200 mm x cannot be raised in a 200 mm x 200 slightly raised in a 200 mm x 200
200 mm area separated by at least mm area separated by at least 50 mm. mm area separated by at least 50
50 mm. mm.
Healed Scars One @ 40 mm in length and not One @ 80 mm in length and not more Two @ 90 mm in length; or Three @
(samples in light more than 1.5 mm wide over a 200 than 2.0 mm wide over a 200 mm x 50 mm in length and not more than
color) mm x 200 mm area. 200 mm area. 2.5 mm wide over a 200 mm x 200
mm area. Separated by at least 100
mm. May be slightly raised.
Mange/Manure One 25 mm x 25 mm section over One 40 mm x 40 mm section over a One 70 mm x 70 mm section over a
Burns a 200 mm x 200 mm area. May be 200 mm x 200 mm area. May be 200 mm x 200 mm area. May be
(samples in light very slightly rough. No color slightly rough. No color change. rougher than A Zone. May have a
color) change. Must blend with grain. very slight color change.
Neck Wrinkles / Four light wrinkles 100 mm x 2 mm Four shallow wrinkles 100mm x 5 mm Four deeper wrinkles 100 mm x 5
Skin Folds blend with grain in a 200 mm x 200 blend with grain in a 200 mm x 200 mm blend with grain in a 200 mm x
(samples in light mm area. No crack in finish. mm area. No crack in finish. 200 mm area. May be seen in all
color) angles. No crack in finish.
Open / One @ 30 mm in length x 1 mm One @ 70 mm in length, or two @ 30 One @ 80 mm in length, or two @
Unhealed Scars wide, shallow with no edge, over a mm in length x 1 mm wide, shallow 40 mm in length x 1 mm wide over a
200 mm x 200 mm area. Must with no edge, over a 200 mm x 200 200 mm x 200 mm area.
blend with grain. mm area. Must blend with grain.
Pits / Insect Three @ 0.5 mm in diameter – Five @ 0.5 mm in diameter – can be Seven @ 0.5 mm in diameter – can
Bites cannot be highly visible – no sharp visible – no sharp edges in a 200 mm be visible – may have defined edges
edges in a 200 mm x 200 mm area. x 200 mm area. in a 200 mm x 200 mm area.
Sores One 20 mm x 20 mm with no pits One 30 mm x 30 mm with slight pits – One 40 mm x 40 mm with slight pits
and no roughness in a 200 mm x minimal roughness and minimal – slight roughness and minimal
200 mm area. No defined edges. defined edges in a 200 mm x 200 mm defined edges in a 200 mm x 200
area. mm area.
Suckouts Not allowed One 20 mm in diameter. Not visible One 20 mm in diameter. Slightly
on finished surface over a 200 mm x visible on finished surface over a
200 mm area. 200 mm x 200 mm area.
Veins Barely visible – cannot be felt. More visible than A+ Zone – no longer More visible than A Zone – no longer
(Only Laguna) than 50 mm and can barely be felt. than 90 mm and can be felt.
Must be shallow, no deep voids or
openings in the finish. Must be shallow, no deep voids or Must be shallow, no deep voids or
openings in the finish. openings in the finish.

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Table B – Wrapped Parts: IPs, Doors (Upper & Main), Hard Trim, Headliner
A+ Zone A Zone B Zone

Butcher Cuts One cut @ 30 mm with flap intact – in One cut @ 40 mm with flap intact –
Not allowed a 200 mm x 200 mm area. a slight void on the upper surface in
a 200 mm x 200 mm area.
Flank/Loose Mild on cut piece and may show
Grain Not allowed Not allowed some loose grain.
(samples in light
color) Not allowed in concave areas.

Foreign
Particles Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed

Grain Break Two slight areas @ 10 mm in length – Two areas @ 40 mm in length – no

Not allowed no wider than 2 mm over a 200 mm x wider than 3 mm over a 200 mm x
200 mm area separated by at least 200 mm area separated by at least
100 mm. 100 mm.
Grain/Texture Samples in leather natural Samples in leather natural markings Samples in leather natural markings
Variation markings books are maximum books are maximum allowable. books are maximum allowable.
(samples in dark allowable.
color)
Grubs Three @ < 3 mm in diameter and Three @ < 5 mm in diameter and Three @ < 5 mm in diameter and
cannot be raised in a 200 mm x cannot be raised in a 200 mm x 200 slightly raised in a 200 mm x 200
200 mm area separated by at least mm area separated by at least 50 mm. mm area separated by at least 50
50 mm. mm.
Healed Scars One @ 40 mm in length and not One @ 80 mm in length and not more Two @ 90 mm in length, or three @
(samples in light more than 1.5 mm wide over a 200 than 2.0 mm wide over a 200 mm x 50 mm in length and not more than
color) mm x 200 mm area. 200 mm area. 2.5 mm wide over a 200 mm x 200
mm area. Separated by at least 100
mm. May be slightly raised.
Mange/Manure One 25 mm x 25 mm section over One 40 mm x 40 mm section over a One 70 mm x 70 mm section over a
Burns a 200 mm x 200 mm area. Slightly 200 mm x 200 mm area. May be 200 mm x 200 mm area. May be
(samples in light rough. No color change. rougher than A+ Zone. No color rougher than A Zone. A very slight
color) change. color change.
Neck Wrinkles / Four light wrinkles 100 mm x 2 mm Four shallow wrinkles 100mm x 5 mm Four deeper wrinkles 100 mm x 5
Skin Folds blend with grain in a 200 mm x 200 blend with grain in a 200 mm x 200 mm blend with grain in a 200 mm x
(samples in light mm area. No crack in finish. mm area. No crack in finish. 200 mm area. May be seen in all
color) angles. No crack in finish.
Open / Not allowed One @ 30 mm in length x 1 mm wide One @ 70 mm in length, or two @
Unhealed Scars shallow with no edge, over a 200 mm x 30 mm in length x 1 mm wide x up to
200 mm area. 0.3 mm in depth over a 200 mm x
200 mm area.
Pits / Insect Three @ 0.5 mm in diameter – Five @ 0.5 mm in diameter – can be Seven @ 0.5 mm in diameter – can
Bites cannot be highly visible – no sharp visible – no sharp edges in a 200 mm be visible – may have defined edges
edges in a 200 mm x 200 mm area. x 200 mm area. in a 200 mm x 200 mm area.
Sores One 20 mm x 20 mm with no pits One 30 mm x 30 mm with slight pits – One 40 mm x 40 mm with slight pits
and roughness in a 200 mm x 200 minimal roughness and defined edges – slight roughness and minimal
mm area. No defined edges. in a 200 mm x 200 mm area. defined edges in a 200 mm x 200
mm area.
Suckouts Not allowed One 20 mm in diameter. Not visible on One 20 mm in diameter. Slightly
finished surface, over a 200 mm x 200 visible on finished surface, over a
mm area. Cannot be felt. 200 mm x 200 mm area. Can be
barely felt.
Veins Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed

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Table C – Steering Wheels, DAB’s & Shifters
A+ Zone A Zone B Zone

Butcher Cuts One cut @ ≤ 30 mm with flap intact – One cut @ ≤ 40 mm with flap intact
Not allowed no void on the upper surface and can’t – a slight void on the upper surface
be felt. but can’t be felt.
Flank/Loose Mild on cut piece and may show
Grain Not allowed Not allowed some loose grain.
(samples in light Flank which causes wrinkles is not
color) allowed – must not be felt.
Foreign
Particles Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed

Grain Break Two slight areas @ ≤ 10 mm in length Two areas @ ≤ 30 mm in length –

Not allowed – no wider than 2 mm. Separated by at no wider than 2 mm. Separated by
least 100 mm. Must feel smooth. at least 100 mm. Must feel smooth.
Grain/Texture Samples in leather natural Samples in leather natural markings Samples in leather natural markings
Variation markings books are maximum books are maximum allowable. books are maximum allowable.
(samples in dark allowable.
color)
Grubs One scar (grub) Ø ≤ 3 mm per cut Three scars (grub) Ø ≤ 3 mm per cut
Not allowed piece (area), the leather cannot be piece (area), the leather cannot be
raised and must feel smooth. raised and must feel smooth.
Separated by at least 50 mm.
Healed Scars One scar per cut piece ≤ 30 mm One scar per cut piece ≤ 40 mm length One scar ≤ 80 mm or two scars ≤ 40
(samples in light length and 1 mm wide and must and 1.0 mm wide. May be very slightly mm, ≤ 2 mm width, per cut piece
color) feel smooth to the touch. May not raised and must feel smooth to the (area). May be very slightly raised
be raised. touch. and must feel smooth to the touch.
Mange/Manure Light mange allowed in 25 mm x 25
Burns Not allowed Not allowed mm area. Not rough to the touch.
(samples in light No color change.
color)
Neck Wrinkles / Four light wrinkles 100 mm x 2 mm Four shallow wrinkles 100mm x 3 mm Four deeper wrinkles 100 mm x 5
Skin Folds blend with grain. No crack in finish. blend with grain. No crack in finish. mm blend with grain. May be seen
(samples in light in all angles. No crack in finish.
color) Must feel smooth to the touch.
Open / One scar per cut piece ≤ 30 mm in One scar per cut piece ≤ 30 mm in One ≤ 80 mm in length or two ≤ 40
Unhealed Scars length and 1 mm wide and must length and 1 mm wide and must feel mm in length and ≤ 2 mm wide per
feel smooth to the touch, shallow smooth to the touch, shallow with no cut piece, and must feel smooth to
with no edge. edge. the touch, shallow with no edge.
Pits / Insect This item is acceptable with two This item is acceptable with two marks This item is acceptable with three
Bites marks Ø ≤ 0.5 mm per cut piece Ø ≤ 0.75 mm per cut piece (area), marks Ø ≤ 1.0 mm per cut piece
(area), distance between bites distance between bites must be at (area), distance between bites must
must be at least 100 mm, and least 100 mm, and these must be not be at least 100 mm, and these must
these must be not felt by hand. felt by hand. Cannot be highly visible be not felt by hand.
Cannot be highly visible – no sharp – no sharp edges.
edges.
Sores One Ø ≤ 10 mm with no pits and no One Ø ≤ 20 mm with no pits and no One Ø ≤ 40 mm with slight pits –
roughness. No defined edges. roughness. No defined edges. minimal defined edges. Must feel
smooth to the touch.
Suckouts Not allowed Allowed one mark Ø ≤10 mm per cut Allowed one mark Ø ≤20 mm per cut
piece, not visible on finish surface, and piece, slightly visible, and can't be
can't be felt. felt.
Veins Not allowed Not allowed Not allowed

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VII - ACCEPTABLE ASSEMBLY OF NATURAL MARKINGS
MANUALS
The Natural Leather Markings Manual will follow the protocol below on how each should be
constructed, signed, and distributed for use.

A - LEATHER NATURAL MARKINGS MANUAL DIMENSIONS

Orientation – Acceptable orientation is the portrait format.
Width – Acceptable width should accommodate 8.5” pages.
Length – Acceptable length should accommodate 11” pages.
Samples – Leather swatches depicting the natural marking limit (maximum allowable) should
be full page size. The natural marks should be marked / chalked. The labels on the back side
of the sample should list the natural mark shown and zone, as well as have an area for
signatures and the date.

B - LEATHER MARKINGS MANUAL FORMAT

Cover
The cover of the Leather Natural Markings Manual should be professionally printed and have
graphics befitting a FCA publication. It must be in compliance to FCA corporate guidelines.
 The title needs to state it is a Leather Natural Markings Manual for FCA.
 The cover needs to describe which grain the manual is defining for which supplier.
 All pages need to be laminated with sturdy plastic to ensure the Leather Natural
Markings Manuals last and are durable.
 All pages should be printed in English.
 Labeled tabs for each leather natural marking description page need to be legible and
stick out for easy selection.
 The backs need to be numbered.

Final approval from FCA Interior Mastering Studio and Supplier Quality must be obtained prior
to final printing. All samples must be signed off by FCA Interior Mastering Studio and Supplier
Quality.

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Item 1 - Cover Page and Signature Page
 The following must be included:
o FCA Leather Natural Markings Manual for (XXXX) grain
o Supplied by (supplier name and logo)
o This agreement is concurred to by the following represented areas:
 FCA Interior Mastering Studio
 FCA Purchasing
 FCA Supplier Quality
 Supplier Representative
o Date of agreement

Item 2 – Revision Record and Location of Manuals

 The following must be included:
o Revision record
o Location of manuals

Item 3 – FCA Leather Natural Marking Standard

 The following must be included:
o Purpose
o Conditions of Use
o Applicable Specification Table(s)

Item 4 – Natural Marking Definitions and Samples

 Divider pages with labeled tabs (for easy selection) with written description of the
natural marking as follows:

o Butcher Cuts
o Flank
o Grain Break
o Grain / Texture Variation
o Grubs
o Healed Scar
o Mange / Manure Burn
o Neck Wrinkle
o Open Scar
o Pits
o Sore
o Suckouts
o Veins (See Section V for specific definition for veins)

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VIII - LOCATION OF APPROVED LEATHER NATURAL MARKINGS
MANUALS
The numbering protocol and custodial location of each of the approved Leather Natural
Markings Manuals shall be standardized and follow this process:

 Manual No. 1 – FCA Design Office, Interior Mastering Studio

 Manual No. 2 – Leather supplier’s commercial office or manufacturing location
 Manual No. 3 – Supplier cutting facility
 Manual No. 4 – Trim sewing supplier’s / component supplier’s manufacturing location
 Additional Manuals – Numbered and distributed as required per program

IX – LEATHER NATURAL MARKING BOOK REQUEST PROCESS

Requests for additional copies of the Leather Natural Markings Manuals once the initial
manuals have been reviewed, approved, and distributed must adhere to the process below:

 All requests for additional copies of approved Leather Natural Markings Manuals should
be addressed to the appropriate Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) responsible for the
program.

 The request will be reviewed by the SQE to determine the need for an additional book.
If the need is not warranted, then the individual making the request will be contacted
and reason given as to why no additional book is warranted.

 If the request is accepted, then the process to gather additional samples, reviews, and
approvals will follow the same process as the initial set of manuals. Meetings will be
scheduled to review actual samples against the approved FCA Design Office manual.

 The following areas will be part of the review of samples and approval process.

o FCA Interior Mastering Studio

o FCA Supplier Quality
o Leather material supplier
o Other suppliers as needed

 The additional manual(s) will be numbered accordingly and approvals will be obtained.

 Once all required approvals are obtained, the leather suppliers will follow all aspects of
Section VI - ACCEPTABLE ASSEMBLY OF NATURAL MARKINGS MANUALS.

 The additional manual(s) will be provided to FCA Supplier Quality, who will then contact
those who will be receiving the additional manual(s) to be used.

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