An EU-funded product testing campaign has published the results of its safety footwear testing. The findings carry significant warnings for safety footwear manufacturers and exporters.
I. Overview
The campaign sampled 83 models of safety shoes across 8 countries: Cyprus, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. 65% of the products were bought online and 35% in physical retail stores. When both performance testing and documentary checks were combined, 82% of the products were non-compliant.
II. Main Failure Points
- Performance
- Poor anti-static properties
- Resistance to impact
- Resistance to perforation
- Formal and Documentary Deficiencies
- Missing, unclear or non-compliant instructions for use
- Missing or incorrect protection category or EU Declaration of Conformity
- Non-affixed or non-indelible CE marking
- Production Consistency Issues
Some shoes may pass certification as prototypes, but the production models available on the market fail. This appeared particularly relevant for anti-static failures and perforation resistance, where the way protective components are integrated into the finished shoe can affect performance.
III. Actions Taken
Market surveillance authorities (MSAs) had:
- 24 models banned from sale or withdrawn from the market
- 15 economic operators received warnings and fines
- 4 models recalled
- Some online marketplaces instructed to remove the products concerned from their platforms
- Six models already brought into conformity as a result of this investigation
- One economic operator fined EUR 7 000 for shoes that did not have the protective features claimed in the promotional material
IV. Compliance Requirements for Manufacturers
Manufacturers selling safety shoes in Europe must comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment. Economic operators may face product withdrawals, recalls, fines and liability claims. They must ensure that markings, instructions and safety information are complete, accurate and available in the required national language(s). The product must identify and provide the contact details of a responsible economic operator in the EU/EEA.
V. How We Can Support You
- Safety footwear performance testing: Anti-static, impact resistance, penetration resistance, and other key test items
- CE certification support: Compliance assessment under Regulation (EU) 2016/425
- Technical documentation review: Compliance checks for instructions, Declarations of Conformity, and related documents
- Production consistency assessment: Verification that mass-produced models conform to certified samples
- Regulatory consulting: Interpretation of EU PPE regulations and market surveillance developments
Notably, PFI (Notified Body No. 0193), a German notified body, is particularly rigorous in quality control. Safety-related items must be verified in our German laboratory before CE or GS certificates can be issued – enhancing certainty in brand quality.
For more details on this inspection or to conduct a compliance assessment for your specific products, please feel free to contact us. We will help you ensure your products meet EU market requirements.
