Transparency isn’t new to us. It’s been part of how we work since day one – from our choice of materials to our relationships with the people who craft our shoes in Portugal. We believe in products that stand the test of time, are made responsibly, and worn with pride, for a long time.
Launching Digital Product Passports in June 2025 isn’t just about "following regulations" – it’s a natural step in our ongoing commitment to true transparency, responsibility, and quality.
At Sneaky Steve, every product comes with a unique Digital Product Passport – a structured overview you’ll find directly on the product page. It gives you insight into what the shoe is made of, where it was made, and by whom.
You’ll find the link under the “Material” section. Click it, and you’ll see detailed information about the materials, production origin, components, and care instructions. It’s our way of helping you understand your product better – from sole to stitch. We know that conscious customers want to make informed choices – and we want to make that easier by showing more, not less.
Building this system wasn’t about solving a technical issue. The real work was gathering the right data.
We had to ask new questions, challenge old workflows, and rethink how we collaborate across the entire supply chain. It’s been a process that’s taken nearly eight months – and has transformed how we develop and document our products.
“This project pushed us to ask for more, dig deeper, and rethink how we communicate with our factories and partners. It hasn’t always been easy – but it’s made us better.”
— Sara-Lotta, Designer & Product Developer at Sneaky Steve
Thanks to close collaboration with our factories in Portugal, our PLM provider ReSourced, our UX and web development team at Our Studio and platform Centra, we now have a solution that is live, integrated, and working.
For you as a customer, the Digital Product Passport is more than just a list of specifications. It’s a way to truly understand the product – where it comes from, what it’s made of, and how to take care of it.
It’s a step toward smarter choices, longer product lifecycles, and more circular thinking. We want to support you not just in buying better, but in keeping and caring better too - for a longer durability.
Right now, you’ll find a unique passport on each product page. But we’re already working on what comes next. We’re exploring ways to make the information even more accessible, such as adding QR codes to the product or packaging.
In the long term, we wan't to build a searchable digital archive – so that product information is still available even after a shoe is no longer sold by us or our retailers. That way, future owners can access reliable information, if the shoe changes feet's.
Our goal is simple: make it easier to access, understand and act on product information – today and tomorrow.
The EU is currently rolling out new regulations aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the fashion industry. Here’s what’s coming:
Digital Product Passports (DPP) will become mandatory starting in 2026 for categories like textiles and footwear. These passports will require detailed product data to be made digitally accessible – something we’re already working with.
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), expected around 2025–2026, will set durability, recyclability and environmental impact requirements. Digital product passports will be key to meeting them.
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), already in effect since 2024, demands more detailed and structured sustainability reporting. Digital product data makes this possible.
And finally, the Green Claims Directive aims to stop vague or misleading green marketing. Claims will need to be backed by verifiable data – which digital product passports help provide.
We know we’re not the only ones thinking about this – and we’re certainly not the only ones still learning.
If your company is just starting to explore product transparency, our best advice is simple: don’t wait for the perfect setup. Just start. Choose one product, gather what you can, and build from there. One step at a time.
We’ll keep moving too. And we’re happy to share what we learn along the way.
