New mandatory labelling requirements for footwear manufacturers and importers will apply in the Brazilian market from 1 January 2027. The requirements are based on Inmetro Ordinance No. 459/2025. Originally, the rules were due to take effect on 31 July 2026, but the deadline has been extended by five months. Distributors and retailers have been granted an additional year: for them, the requirements will become mandatory on 31 December 2027.
The regulation applies to all footwear sold in Brazil, regardless of whether it is manufactured domestically or imported. It requires compliance with the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 16679:2018. Companies that fail to comply face sanctions, including substantial fines and the seizure of improperly labelled goods.
In future, footwear must carry an internationally recognised, unique product identification number, the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN). In addition, information on the brand or responsible company, country of origin, Brazilian shoe size and the predominant materials used in the individual footwear components must be provided. The brand or company name, country of origin and shoe size must be permanently marked on the footwear.
Developed by the international standards organisation GS1, the GTIN system is designed to enable product identification and traceability throughout the entire supply chain. With the new regulations, Brazil aims to improve consumer information and product transparency. At the same time, the rules are intended to strengthen efforts to combat counterfeiting and the illegal footwear trade. According to industry association Abicalçados, the Brazilian footwear industry lost an estimated BRL 15.8 billion to the illegal market in 2025 alone.
