PEF shoe production: Making sustainability visible and comparable

The requirements for sustainable shoe production are increasing – not least due to the EU Green Deal. The Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) tool can be used to systematically record and compare the environmental impact of shoes. This is an essential building block for greater sustainability in the shoe and leather goods industry.

EU Green Deal and ESPR: New rules for the industry

With the EU Green Deal , Europe has committed itself to climate neutrality by 2050. The Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which came into force in July 2024, specifies these goals for the product sector – from energy efficiency and durability to recyclability.

You can find out more about the political background in our article on the EU Green Deal and its commitments.

The digital product passport and its significance

The digital product passport is at the heart of the ESPR. In future, it will bring together all relevant sustainability information. The textile and footwear industry, which is particularly affected by the challenges of fast fashion, will be required to ensure comprehensive transparency.

Another focus is on product safety and pollutant-free products. We also offer you in-depth information on topics such as PFAS in shoes or the current SVHC candidate list.

PEF shoe production: What is it all about?

The Product Environmental Footprint is based on life cycle assessment (LCA). This involves examining a product in all its phases – from raw material extraction to disposal. The PEF assesses 16 environmental categories, including:

• Greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprint)
• Water consumption, land use
• Particulate matter, land use, chemical pollution

PEF in shoe production makes complex environmental impacts comparable – regardless of design or the materials used.

Four steps to calculating PEF

1. Product selection: Determine a typical model from the range
2. Data collection: Creating a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
3. Calculation: Analysis of environmental impacts using standardised procedures
4. Evaluation: Comparison with reference values or targets

This methodology is a cost-benefit analysis of the desired performance at the ecological level. It enables an informed decision to be made as to which materials or processes can be optimised in this regard.

The reality of the footwear industry: durability, recycling and use

Many sustainability goals, such as reparability and recycling, are still difficult to implement in the footwear industry. Although there are already well-founded studies and information on the subject of service life and recycling options in many industries, the results cannot be transferred 1:1—the differences in design, individual use, and material diversity of shoes are too great. You can find more in-depth insight into this in our article on durability and reparability in the footwear industry.

The reality of the footwear industry: durability, recycling and use

The PEF provides a scientifically based foundation for making the sustainability of shoes measurable and comparable. It helps manufacturers understand and specifically improve their environmental impact – and provides guidance to customers.