Egypt has tightened import rules for shoes which are subject to stringent testing processes by introducing new standards from testing and certification company SGS.

ES 3571/2006 applies to general footwear and component imports, including slippers, clogs and sandals with uppers made from natural leather, artificial leather, textiles or a mixture of these.

EMS 3572/2006 applies to all types of sport shoe and component imports, including football shoes, running shoes and tennis shoes with uppers made from natural or artificial leather or from textiles.

These standards require testing for thickness, hardness, specific gravity, pH value, colourfastness, flex resistance, tear resistance, adhesion strength, water vapour permeability and absorption, and shoe size.

Product labels are also required to specify the product name and trademark, contents, size and country of origin.