Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002319/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Marcin Sypniewski (ESN)
The footwear industry in Poland is in a deep crisis, caused by an uncontrolled inflow of cheap footwear from outside the EU, which often fails to meet EU chemical and environmental standards. In 2022, over 258 million pairs of shoes were imported into Poland, as much as 60% of them from China, and often at prices suggesting a circumvention of REACH and ECHA rules.
The crisis has also been exacerbated by the loss of strategic eastern markets (Russia, Belarus, Ukraine) following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Poland, which was the fourth largest manufacturer of footwear in Europe, has lost access to around 250 million consumers, while there has been no reduction in imports of poor quality products from Asia. Polish producers are not able to compete with goods that may contain carcinogens (chromium VI, phthalates, benzene), and the lack of an obligation to label the real country of origin further misleads consumers.
In view of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission planning to introduce a mandatory indication of the country of origin (‘Made in’)?
- 2.Is the Commission considering tightening checks on compliance of imported footwear with REACH?
- 3.What action will the Commission take to protect EU producers from unfair competition?
Submitted: 10.6.2025