FESI was created in 1960 in Germany with the aim of addressing common interests within the European Sporting Industry manufacturers. In 1994, the four major National Federations – FSPA (UK), BSI ( Germany ), FIFAS (France) and ASSOSPORT ( Italy ) forced a fundamental review of the organisation, and the new FESI was born.
Their primary purposes are to:
- Continuously inform on enacted or intended European legislation
- Lobby the European Parliament and Commission on matters affecting the Industry
- Lobby International Federations at European level i.e. Federation International Football Associations (FIFA), International Rugby Board (IRB) etc
- Increase participation in and the image of sport in Europe
Trade & Customs - Much of 2006 was dominated by the anti-dumping investigation on the import of certain footwear with uppers of leather originating in China and Vietnam (AD 499), which was well covered by National and International media. The measures were driven by Southern European States, mainly Italy , to protect their industry. Although protectionism is understandable, FESI stance is unequivocal; we must strive for total free trade with no barriers and no quotas. This has been the most economically important anti-dumping investigation launched by the European Union. This meant that the case gradually became less about the alleged technical trade-distorting practices and more about the politics of the European Union. Whilst it would of course be preferable to have ended this investigation with the defeat of the Commission’s proposals, we believe that we must recognise the great achievements that we, the Federation and FESI have made.