Copenhagen Fashion Week, as the pioneer in global fashion events, has mandated Sustainability Requirements for brands since 2023, ensuring a commitment to eco-conscious practices. Today, the unveiling of the updated Sustainability Requirements marks a significant evolution from the original framework introduced in 2020, signaling a continued dedication to driving sustainability in the fashion industry. Effective January 2025, these updated criteria will serve as the compulsory benchmark for brands seeking inclusion in the official show and presentation schedule.

Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week, emphasizes the imperative of annually enhancing these requirements to propel brands forward and maintain global leadership in setting sustainable standards. The revisions not only raise the performance bar for participating brands but also align with evolving industry dynamics and forthcoming EU policies, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.

Building on insights from a year of implementation, as well as comprehensive mapping of EU regulations, the updated framework prioritizes continual advancement in sustainability practices. Frederik Larsen, Co-founder of In Futurum, underscores the framework's role in fostering industry-wide progress, particularly amidst evolving regulatory landscapes and heightened political scrutiny.

The latest updates to the Sustainability Requirements introduce three new Minimum Standards, elevate existing standards from commitment to implementation stages, and integrate 31 additional actions, notably emphasizing social sustainability. Importantly, while the framework retains its foundational structure encompassing strategic direction, design, material selection, working conditions, consumer engagement, and show production, it now reflects a deeper emphasis on holistic sustainability approaches.

Marie Busck, Head of CSR & Sustainability at Dansk Fashion & Textile, stresses the importance of aligning the framework with evolving legal frameworks and incorporating stakeholder feedback to enhance clarity and effectiveness.

In essence, Copenhagen Fashion Week's updated Sustainability Requirements herald a new era of heightened sustainability commitments, reflecting industry evolution, regulatory developments, and stakeholder feedback, while reaffirming its leadership in driving positive change within the fashion sector.