Agra’s footwear industry came together on June 2, 2026, at Holiday Inn, Agra, for a focused session on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the emerging regulatory framework that will shape the future of exports to Europe. As part of its ongoing efforts to facilitate industry dialogue and knowledge-sharing, Shoes & Accessories magazine, led by Dipika Chopra, brought together key stakeholders from Agra’s footwear sector for an insightful discussion on the implications of the India–EU FTA.
The initiative, jointly undertaken by Shoes & Accessories and Bureau Veritas, aims to create awareness, build preparedness, and help Indian footwear manufacturers navigate the evolving compliance requirements that will accompany greater access to European markets under the FTA framework.
The session commenced with opening remarks by Amit Chopra, MD, Shoes & Accessories, who highlighted the strategic significance of the India–EU FTA and the opportunities it presents for Indian footwear manufacturers. He noted that while the agreement has the potential to enhance India’s competitiveness in one of the world’s largest consumer markets, businesses must equally prepare for the responsibilities and compliance requirements that will accompany increased market access. He emphasized that understanding the regulatory environment today will help manufacturers avoid disruptions tomorrow and position themselves for long-term success in Europe.
Among the distinguished attendees were Puran Dawar, Chairman, Development Council for Footwear and Leather Industry (DCFLI); Gopal Gupta, President, AFMEC; Rajiv Wasan, Vice President, AFMEC; along with several senior members of AFMEC. The event was also attended by Dharmendra Narula, Chairman, CIFI Uttar Pradesh Chapter; Opinder Singh, President, CIFI UP; and Vijay Sama, President, Agra Footwear Factors Federation, reflecting strong industry participation and support.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Paul Bridge, Global Head – Footwear, Bureau Veritas, who provided an in-depth overview of how the proposed India–EU FTA could unlock significant export growth opportunities for Indian footwear manufacturers. In a crisp and insightful presentation, Bridge explained that while tariff reductions could improve market access, compliance with new European sustainability regulations would become a critical factor for long-term success. He also outlined how Bureau Veritas can work alongside manufacturers and exporters to address compliance challenges, strengthen supply chain transparency, improve product quality, and build readiness for the European market.
A major focus of the presentation was the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which is set to redefine product requirements across the European market. Bridge outlined how future compliance will require manufacturers to demonstrate durability, repairability, recyclability, traceability, and responsible sourcing throughout the product lifecycle. He also highlighted the introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP), which will create a digital identity for products sold in the EU and require extensive data on materials, supply chains, environmental impact, and compliance credentials.
The timing of the session was particularly relevant. On the same day, UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle was in New Delhi to push for the early implementation of the landmark India–UK FTA, underlining the growing importance of trade agreements in reshaping export opportunities for Indian industry. With both the India–UK and India–EU agreements moving forward, manufacturers are increasingly recognizing the need to align with global regulatory and sustainability expectations.
While the session explored the risks of non-compliance, including sales restrictions, product recalls, reputational damage, and financial penalties, Bridge emphasized that sustainability should be viewed as a business opportunity rather than a cost burden. By strengthening supply chain visibility, implementing upstream quality assurance, and improving traceability, manufacturers can reduce waste, lower compliance costs, improve efficiency, and enhance profitability.
The interactive discussion that followed generated strong engagement from participants, with questions focusing on implementation timelines, leather traceability, digital compliance systems, and the readiness of Indian manufacturers to meet evolving European standards.
Also present at the event was Mathew from Impactiva, who shared his perspectives with industry leaders during the networking dinner that followed the session. Discussions continued well into the evening, with manufacturers expressing keen interest in understanding practical implementation pathways and compliance solutions.
Going forward, the Bureau Veritas India team will work closely with interested manufacturers and exporters to build on the momentum generated by the event and support their preparedness journey toward the European market.
The session underscored a clear message: as the India–EU FTA moves closer to reality, future success in Europe will depend not only on competitive pricing and manufacturing capability, but also on transparency, sustainability, quality assurance, and regulatory preparedness. The event served as a timely platform for Agra’s footwear industry to begin preparing for this next chapter of global trade.
