Single Market of footwear
The Single Market is one of the European Union's greatest achievements. It has a direct and growing impact on citizens and business in terms of enhanced employment and commercial opportunities, wider choice of goods and services, lower prices, worker mobility and international competitiveness.
There is one directive in the footwear sector specifically relating to the internal market: Directive 94/11/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 23 March 1994, on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the labelling of materials used in the main components of footwear for sale to the consumer (Official Journal L 100, 19/04/1994 p. 0037 - 0041).
You can consult the full text of this directive and find an explanatory note of the document on the Reference documents page.
In most Member States, the national transposition measures adhere almost word for word to the text of the Directive, and the Member States generally regard their national legislation as adequate for effective application of all the aspects of the Directive. Harmonisation of the legislation of the various Member States on a minimum common labelling system has enabled manufacturers to provide consumers with better information and increased transparency.
Other chapters of the Community acquis have an impact on the footwear sector, including competition, chemicals, environment, intellectual property, health and safety at work and trade.
You will find more information about European legislation on the Europa website - Summaries of the legislation.
