Fesi Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry Mr. Ernst Aichinger
The contribution of the European Sporting goods industry to a better identification of sports related data
Index 1. What is FESI? 2. FESI Interest 3. FESI Contribution 4. Closing Comments
1. What is FESI? Brussels based federation representing the sporting goods industry 11 National Federations : Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom 1.800 Sporting goods manufacturers: i.e Adidas, Amer sports, Asics, Diadora, Fila, Mizuno, Nike, Puma, Reebok, Salomon, Umbro 3 sectors: Clothing, Footwear, Equipment 65 Billion Euros European annual Turnover (NPD figures 2008)
2. FESI interest Better identification of sport related data within all existing classifications (NACE, CPA, PRODCOM, CN/Taric, ISIC) Harmonised EU and Global classification system Global statistical data on sport for policy purposes Market statistics for a better understanding of the economic impact of sport and sporting goods (employment, social security savings, health, social inclusion, research and innovation)
Concrete example Better alignment of CN subheadings 6402, 6403 and 6404 on sports footwear We have requested WCO for global alignment (for statistics) in the 2017 HS Revision
CN Chapter 64 footwear Subheading note 1 of Chapter 64 says: For the purposes of subheadings 6402 12, 6402 19, 6403 12, 6403 19 and 6404 11, the expression sports footwear applies only to: (a) footwear which is designed for a sporting activity and has, or has provision for the attachment of, spikes, sprigs, stops, clips, bars or the like; (b) skating boots, ski-boots and cross-country ski footwear, snowboard boots, wrestling boots, boxing boots and cycling shoes
However there are specific provisions for 6404 textile uppers 6404 11 00 sports footwear; tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like With the following explanatory note : shoes similar to tennis shoes, basketball shoes, gym shoes and training shoes of this subheading cover shoes which, by virtue of their shape, cut and look, show that they are designed for a sporting activity, for example sailing, squash, table tennis, volleyball. All these shoes have non-slip outer sole and a fasting device, which gives the foot stability in the shoe (e.g, laces, self-adhesive fasteners).
Conclusion 1 The Sports Footwear Industry has to deal with 3 different types of footwear according to CN/Taric 1.Footwear designed for sporting activity as mentioned in Subheading Note 1 (shoes with provisions such as soccer, bicycle, golf, etc) for ALL uppers (6402, 6403, 6404) 2.Sports footwear such as tennis shoes, basket-ball shoes, gym shoes, training shoes and the like (only for textile uppers 6404 11 00)
Conclusion 2 1.The Sports Footwear Industry has only access to import/export statistics for footwear mentioned under 1 which represents less than 25% of its business 2.For footwear mentioned under point 2 major part of the business statistics are only available for footwear with textile uppers Fesi has requested Taxud to insert extra CN codes for footwear under point 2 in 6402 and 6403, as a first step to harmonize statistics.
Statistical coverage of footwear for sporting activities 6404 11 : Uppers of textile materials 6402 : Uppers of Rubber or plastic 6403: Uppers of Leather
3. FESI contribution -Expertise: Our constituency is confronted on a daily basis with the complexity of gathering statistical data, and fully understands the needs of the industry and consumers. FESI has a recognised observer status within EUROSTAT and DG EAC for statistical topics -Data: 1.FESI conducts its own research on the participation in the most famous local sports by surveying the occasional and regular practice of 41 sports accross 11 EU member states 2.FESI provided the EU working group on sport and economics with a study on the EU sports market in 35 countries 3.FESI has the means to collect data from its constituency, as it has already been done for the Ski sector
-Political Support: Through a large network, the sporting goods indusrty can provide public support to the initiatives of the Working group on sport and economics at the level of: 1.National Sporting goods associations 2.Sporting goods brands 3.EU member states 4.EUROSTAT 5.National Statistical offices 6.Website and publications
4. Closing comments As a major actor of the colossal sport sector (turnover of 407 billion (3.7% of EU GDP) and employing 15 million people (5% of the labour force).) the sporting goods industry is actively supporting the works and conclusions of the EU working group on sports and economics. Therefore FESI herewith: Encourages national statistical offices to create National Sport Satellite Accounts that will gather the data on all sport related economic activities based, on the one clear and reliable Vilnius definition of Sport. Strongly demands that National Statistical offices participate in the voluntary EUROSTAT study on Structural Business Statistics. A broad participation within this initiative will indeed be the milestone for a future mandatory study resulting in a comprehensive statistical tool.