Footwear labelling

KEY POINTS

• Only materials covering 80 % or more of the surface areas of the upper, the lining and the sock of the footwear, as well as 80 % or more of the volume of the outer sole, need to be labelled. Where no single material accounts for at least 80 %, a label with information on the two main materials must be provided.
• The labelling needs to provide information on the three components of the footwear:
  • the upper;
  • the lining and sock;
  • the outer sole.
• The label may either be written or in the form of a pictogram.
• The label must be visible, securely attached and accessible.
• The label should be:
  • printed or embossed on the footwear; or
  • attached to the footwear by means of, for example, an adhesive label; or
  • affixed by means of, for example, a fastener or string.
• The label must appear on at least one of the two items comprising the pair of shoes, boots, etc.
• EU manufacturers are responsible for supplying the label and for its accuracy or, where the footwear is imported, the person who first places it on the EU market assumes this responsibility. Retailers remain responsible for ensuring that the footwear they sell bears the appropriate labelling.
• The annexes specify:
  • definitions (an upper, a sole, etc.) and corresponding pictograms or written indications concerning the parts of the footwear to be identified (Annex I);
  • examples of the footwear covered by the directive are contained in Annex II. It does not, for example, cover footwear used by individuals for health and safety purposes in the workplace, which falls under EU rules on personal protective equipment.

A voluntary EU eco-label also exists for footwear. This label helps consumers identify footwear whose life-cycle (production, use and disposal) has a low environmental impact.