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Are all brands European?

Are all brands European?


Yes—100% of our brands are based in Europe. We made a conscious decision not to work with non-European suppliers.


What "European" means to us


When we say "European," we mean:


Manufacturing location:

  • EU member states (all 27 countries)
  • EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
  • United Kingdom (post-Brexit, still considered European manufacturing)
  • Switzerland (EFTA member)


Company headquarters:

  • Brand must be headquartered in Europe
  • Or be an authorized European distributor with local presence


Good to know: Some European brands source materials globally (like Italian leather from South America), but manufacturing, quality control, and warehousing happen in Europe.


Why European-only?


The honest reason: We could offer cheaper workwear by working with Asian suppliers. We chose not to. Here's why:


1. Safety standards you can trust


EU regulations are stricter:

  • PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 requires third-party testing
  • REACH compliance limits harmful chemicals
  • CE marking backed by enforceable standards


Non-EU suppliers:

  • Often self-certify without independent audits
  • CE markings can be fake or improperly applied
  • Legal recourse is difficult when things go wrong


What we think is fair: Your safety boots shouldn't be a gamble. European certification means someone actually tested them before slapping on a safety rating.


2. Delivery speed matters


European brands ship fast:

  • Average delivery: 2-5 business days
  • Warehouses distributed across EU
  • No customs delays for EU orders


Non-EU suppliers:

  • Typical delivery: 3-6 weeks from Asia
  • Customs clearance adds delays and costs
  • Returns take forever


Our philosophy: Workwear is usually urgent. If your team needs safety boots tomorrow, waiting a month doesn't help.


3. Real customer support


European brands:

  • Local customer service teams (speak your language)
  • Can resolve issues quickly (returns, sizing, defects)
  • Accountable under EU consumer protection laws


Non-EU suppliers:

  • Overseas call centers with time zone challenges
  • Language barriers complicate problem-solving
  • Legal recourse is impractical for small orders


4. Environmental responsibility


Shorter supply chains:

  • Lower carbon footprint (truck vs. container ship)
  • European environmental regulations are stricter
  • More transparency in manufacturing practices


Our take: We're not perfect, but shorter supply chains and stricter EU environmental laws make a difference.


The trade-off: Higher prices


Let's be honest: European workwear costs 15-30% more than Asian alternatives.


Why the premium?

  • European labor standards (fair wages, safe conditions)
  • Stricter environmental regulations (wastewater, emissions)
  • Higher quality materials and construction
  • Third-party safety certifications


What we think is fair: You're paying for quality, safety, and speed. For workwear that protects your team, that's a fair trade.


What about global brands?


Some brands operate globally but have European divisions. Here's how we handle that:


Example: Dickies

  • US-based brand BUT has European manufacturing division
  • Products sold on Droppe are made in Europe (not imported from US/Asia)
  • Ships from European warehouses


Our rule: Products must be manufactured in Europe and ship from European warehouses. We don't care where the parent company is headquartered—we care where the product is made and stored.


Do you verify this?


Yes. Before partnering with any brand, we verify:


  • [ ] Company registration in European country
  • [ ] Manufacturing location or authorized European distribution
  • [ ] Warehouse locations (must be EU-based for fast delivery)
  • [ ] EU safety certifications (for PPE products)


We don't just take their word for it. We review business registrations, warehouse addresses, and certification documents.


Will you ever work with non-European brands?


Short answer: Not in the near future.


Long answer: We built Droppe around European workwear quality and speed. Adding non-EU suppliers would compromise both. If customer demand strongly pushed us that direction, we'd consider it—but only if we could maintain our quality and delivery standards.


Our philosophy: Better to do one thing really well (European workwear) than dilute our focus trying to be everything to everyone.


What if I want non-European workwear?


We get it—sometimes price matters more than delivery speed.


Honest recommendation: If you're willing to wait 3-6 weeks and handle customs, there are other platforms specializing in Asian imports (Alibaba, AliExpress, etc.).


We're not for everyone. We built Droppe for customers who value European quality, fast delivery, and strong consumer protections. If that's not your priority, we won't be offended if you shop elsewhere.


Questions about our brands?


Looking for a specific European brand? Check our brand directory or drop us a message.


Want to verify a brand's origin? Chat with us and we'll share manufacturing and certification details.


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Updated on: 06/11/2025

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