BFC & CPHFW partner to drive sustainability in fashion industry
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced its collaboration with Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) to adopt and implement the CPHFW-developed Sustainability Requirements framework, which aims to promote environmental and social responsibility within the fashion industry.
This initiative will initially be introduced through the BFC NewGen programme, ensuring that all emerging brands participating in London Fashion Week meet a set of sustainability standards. These include using sustainable materials, ensuring ethical working conditions, and reducing waste in production processes. Following an onboarding and piloting phase, the framework’s complete adoption across all BFC platforms is scheduled for January 2026.
Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating: “We are thrilled to align with the Copenhagen Fashion Week Sustainability Requirements across BFC NewGen. This partnership reinforces our commitment to driving positive change and empowering emerging designer fashion businesses to lead in sustainability.”
The Sustainability Requirements framework, first introduced by CPHFW in 2020, mandates brands to demonstrate their sustainability strategies, ensure quality and longevity in design, and use at least 60% preferred materials such as certified fabrics, deadstock, or other eco-friendly alternatives. Additionally, virgin fur, wild animal skins, and feathers are prohibited, as is single-use plastic packaging.
Cecilie Thorsmark, chief executive of Copenhagen Fashion Week, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting the potential for broader industry alignment and positive change driven by influential fashion councils like the BFC.
This strategic partnership aligns with the BFC’s ongoing efforts through its Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF), which was established to promote climate action, sustainable practices, and collaborative research in the fashion industry. The move places the BFC alongside other prominent fashion bodies, including the Norwegian Fashion Hub, Oslo Runway, and Berlin Fashion Week from Fashion Council Germany, all of which have committed to the CPHFW sustainability standards.
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