A study coordinated by the European Footwear Confederation (CEC) has raised concerns about the safety and regulatory compliance of footwear sold through major online marketplaces. Between February and May 2026, footwear purchased via Shein, Temu and Aliexpress was tested in seven European countries: the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK.
A total of 76 pairs were assessed for chemical compliance by nationally accredited laboratories using internationally recognised testing methods. According to the CEC, 27 pairs – or 36% of the sample – failed at least one chemical requirement under applicable REACH restrictions.
Testing covered substances including phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, chromium VI, nickel, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). Phthalates were the most common source of chemical non-compliance.
Safety footwear performs particularly poorly
The results for products marketed as protective or safety footwear were even more striking. Eight of the ten models tested failed to meet applicable EN ISO requirements. Problems included slip and perforation resistance, impact and compression resistance, toe-cap performance and upper-to-outsole bond strength.
According to the CEC, several products marketed as safety footwear also carried potentially misleading safety claims and lacked the required CE marking or supporting conformity assessment documentation.
The confederation sees the findings as evidence of a broader problem with cross-border e-commerce. Although the study covered a limited sample, the CEC argues that enforcement of European product safety and regulatory requirements needs to be strengthened for both online marketplaces and direct-to-consumer imports.
The study comes as the EU is reviewing its regulatory framework for e-commerce. Among the measures under discussion is a proposed EUR 2 handling fee for e-commerce imports valued below EUR 150. A revision of the Market Surveillance Regulation as part of the European Product Act is also expected.
The CEC is calling on the European Commission and EU Member States to ensure more effective enforcement and clearer accountability throughout the e-commerce supply chain, including for platforms facilitating sales. Its central demand is that products sold to European consumers should have to meet the same safety and regulatory requirements, irrespective of the route by which they enter the market.
Testing for the study was carried out by specialist institutes including PFI Germany, CTC in France, CIMAC in Italy, CTCP in Portugal, INESCOP in Spain and SATRA in the UK.
