World Footwear

European Union

EU and Australia conclude negotiations on free trade agreement

Apr 8, 2026 / European Union
The European Union (EU) and Australia concluded negotiations in March on a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) aimed at boosting trade and strengthening supply chains

EU-Mercosur trade deal set for provisional application from May 1

Apr 3, 2026 / European Union
The EU-Mercosur interim trade agreement is set to be provisionally applied from the 1st of May, despite objections from certain member states and requests for clarification from the European Parliament. We have asked industry representatives from both sides of the Atlantic to comment

Business coalition urges EU to fast-track deemed importer rules

Mar 18, 2026 / European Union
A business coalition that includes the European Footwear Confederation (CEC) is urging the EU to implement deemed importer rules more quickly, as delays would lead to continued unfair competition in e-commerce

New EU regulations target destruction of unsold clothes and footwear

Feb 12, 2026 / European Union
The European Commission has just adopted new measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to prevent the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing, accessories, and footwear

CEC welcomes technology centres as new associate members

Feb 10, 2026 / CEC
The European Footwear Confederation (CEC) has introduced a new membership category to engage with stakeholders beyond national footwear associations. This new category will encompass technology centres

EU and India conclude free trade agreement talks

Jan 30, 2026 / European Union
India and the European Union have finalised a free trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on most goods. This is the largest deal of its kind ever concluded by either party

Majority of EU countries approve the Mercosur trade deal

Jan 14, 2026 / European Union
A qualified majority of EU states have given the green light for the bloc to sign its largest free trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur, 25 years after negotiations began

Cotance and industriAll Europe outline roadmap for the EU leather sector

Jan 2, 2026 / European Union
Cotance and industriAll Europe have adopted a new Social Dialogue Work Programme 2026-2030. This is aimed at strengthening the skills, sustainability and competitiveness of the EU leather industry

EU to apply a 3-euro customs duty to e-commerce parcels under 150 euros

Dec 19, 2025 / European Union
A 3-euro customs duty is to be introduced on low-value parcels arriving in the European Union. This move is part of a strategy to reduce the influx of cheap e-commerce imports, such as those sold by online retailers Shein and Temu

Future of the footwear industry discussed at Porto conference

Dec 5, 2025 / Portugal
An international conference dedicated to the future of the Portuguese and European footwear industries was held as part of the FAIST project on the 18th and 19th of November

EU Parliament approves one-year postponement of EUDR start date

Dec 2, 2025 / European Union
The European Parliament has approved the Council’s proposal to postpone the EU Deforestation Regulation’s entry into force by one year, a move intended to simplify due diligence requirements for all stakeholders

Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, from COTANCE: we are working on the regulatory areas that will shape future markets

Premium ContentNov 24, 2025 / Belgium
We spoke to Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, who has been the Secretary General at COTANCE for more than 30 years. We discussed some of the critical issues around the European leather industry, including traceability standards and material metrics

European business associations urge EU-Mercosur ratification amid debate

Oct 16, 2025 / CEC
Twenty-six European business associations, including CEC, representing a variety of industries, are calling for the swift ratification of the EU-Mercosur agreement, as the bill has now entered the European Parliament

EU–Indonesia FTA set to create a level playing field in footwear trade

Oct 7, 2025 / European Union
Following almost a decade of negotiations, the recently signed agreement will reduce tariffs on most goods, thereby enhancing the EU’s competitiveness and establishing fairer conditions on the footwear market. We spoke to Carmen Arias, Secretary General of the European Footwear Confederation (CEC)

Terry Boyle from Trove: regulation is shifting in favour of recommerce

Premium ContentOct 6, 2025 / United States
In the second part of his interview, Terry Boyle, CEO at Trove, discussed how regulatory changes in the United States and the European Union are influencing the recommerce business, particularly for fashion and footwear brands
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