Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry

The association aims to provide opportunities for sporting goods companies to collaborate on non-commercial pre-competitive issues of common interest, monitor legislative initiatives relating to the sporting goods industry at European level, advocate for the sporting goods industry in BrusselsBrussels, and communicate with European stakeholders about issues such as trade, digital, product compliance, corporate responsibility and sport. FESI is committed to promoting free trade between European Member States and facilitating trade world-wide. FESI is a member of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).

Since its establishment in Brussels, FESI has forged many partnerships with various European initiatives and platforms, supporting the well-being of European citizens. In particular, FESI is one of the first official partners of the European Week of Sport, a European movement created by the European Commission to encourage people in EuropeEurope to practice more physical activity. FESI also joined All Policies for a Healthy Europe, an intersectional initiative created ahead of the European elections 2019 in order to ensure that citizen’s health and well-being be a core priority for Europe and a strategic objective for the next Commission. FESI is also part of SHARE, an alliance for regional development in Europe that seeks to unlock the potential of sport for local and regional development through knowledge exchanges and peer-learning activities, with the support of the European Commission.

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) is a Brussels-based European independent non-profit association representing the interests of about 1,800 European sporting goods companies before the European Institutions, Sport Governing bodies such as UEFAUEFA and other international sport federations or associations.

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) is a Brussels-based European independent non-profit association representing the interests of about 1,800 European sporting goods companies before the European Institutions, Sport Governing bodies such as UEFA and other international sport federations or associations.

The association aims to provide opportunities for sporting goods companies to collaborate on non-commercial pre-competitive issues of common interest, monitor legislative initiatives relating to the sporting goods industry at European level, advocate for the sporting goods industry in Brussels, and communicate with European stakeholders about issues such as trade, digital, product compliance, corporate responsibility and sport. FESI is committed to promoting free trade between European Member States and facilitating trade world-wide. FESI is a member of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).

Partners

Since its establishment in Brussels, FESI has forged many partnerships with various European initiatives and platforms, supporting the well-being of European citizens. In particular, FESI is one of the first official partners of the European Week of Sport, a European movement created by the European Commission to encourage people in Europe to practice more physical activity. FESI also joined All Policies for a Healthy Europe, an intersectional initiative created ahead of the European elections 2019 in order to ensure that citizen’s health and well-being be a core priority for Europe and a strategic objective for the next Commission. FESI is also part of SHARE, an alliance for regional development in Europe that seeks to unlock the potential of sport for local and regional development through knowledge exchanges and peer-learning activities, with the support of the European Commission.

History

FESI was created in the early sixties with the aim of achieving free and fair trade in Europe while facilitating trade worldwide. In October 1994, FESI headquarters moved to Brussels, a strategic step which has allowed FESI to increase its lobbying and enhance its impact on European institutions.

In February 2002, during an Extraordinary General Assembly, FESI decided to allow sports manufacturers a direct voting right in its main decision bodies. Sports manufacturers can thus become FESI Regular Members in the same way as FESI's 12 National Federations.

In December 2002, following some months of consultation and negotiation, FESI and FEPI (Federation of the European Play Industry) signed a letter of intent which paved the way for a future collaboration between both organizations.