Led by Spain’s Plastic and Footwear Technology Centre CETEC, the project brings together partners from Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Portugal and Spain to address growing environmental and regulatory challenges facing the industry.
Over the next four years, Ecostep will develop common criteria and testing methods for key sustainability indicators, including durability, repairability, recyclability, chemical safety and circularity. The project also aims to provide greater clarity on how sustainability claims can be measured and verified across the footwear sector.
A digital platform incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Digital Product Passport functionality will be developed to help companies assess sustainability performance, improve traceability and support compliance with future regulations.
Ecostep will also establish working groups involving manufacturers, material suppliers, consumer organisations, policymakers, standardisation experts and sustainability specialists to ensure its outputs are practical and widely adopted.
The project is expected to deliver a footwear-specific ecodesign framework, standardised verification methods, practical guidance on circular design and business models, and training programmes to help companies, particularly SMEs, implement ecodesign principles and prepare for future market requirements.
Funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, Ecostep will run from June 2026 until May 2030, with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s footwear industry as it transitions towards a more circular economy.
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