The ETUF:TCL and the CEC, representatives of the European footwear industry, have welcomed the European Commission's proposal for a Council Regulation establishing compulsory indication of the country of origin of certain goods (including textiles, clothing, footwear and leather) imported from non-EU countries. The organisations believe that this regulation would bring to an end discrimination penalising European producers in the garment and footwear industry, since 1985”.

Managing director of the CEC  stated, At present, European industrialists wishing to export must label their goods (so that they can enter a series of countries), whilst their competitors are not subjected to the same rules when they sell within the European Union. Accordingly, introducing a marking scheme at European level would finally establish reciprocity.”

Such a system is compatible with the rules of the WTO and Canada, Japan, the United States, China and many other countries have already been applying it for some time.

A statement from the ETUF:TCL and the CEC also stated that it would provide European consumers with basic information on the origin of the goods offered thus allowing them to make a choice.