Footwear
The footwear industry's commitment to the environment
Footwear manufacture per se cannot be considered as having a heavy impact on the environment. Most of the environmental impacts are associated with the upstream industries (leather and plastics).
REACH, the new chemicals regulation will impact the sector by bringing downstream user obligations.
A European Eco-label was established for footwear in 1999. It applies to all categories of footwear, including sports footwear, occupational footwear, children's, men's and women's town footwear, specialist footwear for cold, casual, fashion and indoor.
