Copenhagen Fashion Week tightens sustainability standards

Copenhagen Fashion Week lives up to its reputation as the fashion week with the strictest sustainability requirements and has just announced that it will strengthen its rules after the next edition.

New minimum standards have been added along with additional actions required for brands wishing to participate in the shows.

In the area of ​​smart material choices, for example, the new minimum standards mean brands must implement circular design principles with a focus on products that can be repaired, recycled and reused, with recycled content included at the point of manufacturing.

And they must have “concrete criteria to ensure the quality and longevity of products and inform customers about the value of longevity.”

Other adjustments mean that customer service staff in stores and online must be well informed about a brand's sustainability strategy with appropriate training on those topics.

The updated rules also move from “commitment” to “action” in many areas, such as adopting more sustainable actions when it comes to organizing fashion shows. This covers areas such as props, packaging and waste sorting.

Brands participating in CFW must also have a formally approved sustainability strategy on both the environmental and social fronts.

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The approach to improving working conditions has tightened and brands need a specific code of conduct and have to work with their suppliers to ensure better conditions for employees.

Its own staff must also be able to work “free from harassment and discrimination and where everyone enjoys the same opportunities.”

And in the interest of preventing animal suffering, in addition to the fact that collections must be free of virgin skins, they must also not include skins or feathers from wild animals.

“Since we first applied sustainability requirements to brands at the Copenhagen Fashion Week show in 2023, our ambition has been to expand the requirements annually to continue to drive brands forward and continue to set the standard for Copenhagen Fashion Week shows. fashion worldwide”. said event executive director Cecilie Thorsmark.

“Therefore, we are excited to release the first edition of the updated Sustainability Requirements. With the updates we are not only raising the bar for brands on our agenda, but also reflecting industry developments and learnings, as well as the future political landscape of the EU.”