CEC study finds widespread safety and regulatory non-compliance in footwear sold through major online marketplaces

Between February and May 2026, the European Footwear Confederation (CEC) coordinated a mystery shopping exercise to assess the safety and regulatory compliance of footwear purchased through three major online platforms: SHEIN, TEMU and AliExpress.

The exercise covered seven European countries — Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom — and focused on footwear purchased directly from online sellers through e-commerce channels.

The results raise significant concerns about the compliance of products available to European consumers through these platforms.

More than one-third of footwear failed chemical compliance requirements
A total of 76 pairs of footwear were assessed for chemical compliance by nationally accredited laboratories using internationally recognised testing methods. This included standard footwear and a number of safety footwear models.

Of these, 27 pairs, or 36%, failed at least one chemical requirement under the applicable REACH restrictions.

The tests covered a range of substances of concern, including phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, chromium VI, nickel release, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs).

Non-compliances were identified in relation to several of these substances, with phthalates representing the most common source of chemical non-compliance.

80% of safety footwear models failed testing requirements
The findings were particularly of concern regarding footwear marketed as protective or safety footwear.

Of the safety footwear models tested, 80% failed to meet the applicable EN ISO requirements (8 of 10 footwear models tested).

Failures were identified across several areas of physical-mechanical and safety performance, including slip resistance, perforation resistance, impact and compression resistance, toe-cap impact and compression resistance, and upper-to-outsole bond strength.

In addition, several products marketed as safety footwear displayed potentially misleading safety claims and did not bear the required CE marking or provide the supporting conformity assessment documentation expected for such products.

Findings point to a wider e-commerce compliance challenge
The results are consistent with concerns raised in other European industries regarding the availability of non-compliant products through cross-border e-commerce channels.

While the exercise examined a defined sample of products and platforms, the findings highlight the need for stronger and more effective enforcement of EU product safety and regulatory requirements across online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer imports.

The study comes at an important moment for the European e-commerce regulatory framework. The European Union has introduced new rules under the Union Customs Code, while the proposed €2 handling fee for e-commerce imports below €150 is currently under scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council. A revision of the Market Surveillance Regulation as part of the European Product Act is also expected to be announced this year.

The findings demonstrate the need for fundamental strengthening of enforcement for products sold through online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer import channels. Products sold to European consumers must meet the same safety and regulatory requirements regardless of how they enter the market.

CEC therefore calls once more European Commission and EU Member States for effective enforcement and clear accountability across the e-commerce supply chain, including for platforms facilitating the sale of products that do not comply with EU requirements.

Acknowledgements
CEC would like to express its sincere thanks to the technology and testing centres whose expertise and work made this study possible:

CZECH REPUBLIC
          Institut pro testování a certifikaci, a.s. (ITC)
FRANCE
          Centre Technique du Cuir (CTC)
GERMANY
          Prüf- und Forschungsinstitut Pirmasens e.V. (PFI Germany)
ITALY
          Italian Centre for Footwear Application Materials (CIMAC)
PORTUGAL
          Centro Tecnológico do Calçado de Portugal (CTCP)
SPAIN
          Centro de Investigación y Tecnología (INESCOP)
          Centro Tecnológico del Calzado de la Rioja (NOVEX)
          Centro Tecnológico del Calzado y el Plástico (CETEC)
UK
          SATRA