The British Fashion Council (BFC) and Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) have partnered to accelerate sustainability efforts within the British and Nordic fashion industries. The collaboration introduces new sustainability standards designed to guide emerging fashion designers towards responsible practices.
The BFC will integrate CPHFW’s Sustainability Requirements framework into its BFC NEWGEN programme in 2025. These Minimum Standards will be added to the mandatory admission criteria for designer businesses. Full implementation is expected by January 2026, following a piloting and onboarding period.
Applications for BFC NEWGEN are now open to designer fashion businesses that have been actively trading for less than three years.
Caroline Rush, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council said, “This partnership aligns with the Copenhagen Fashion Week Sustainability Requirements and strengthens efforts to integrate sustainability into the fashion industry.”
Cecilie Thorsmark, CEO of Copenhagen Fashion Week commented, “This collaboration expands the reach of our Sustainability Requirements and fosters alignment between leading fashion organisations.”
This initiative aligns with the BFC’s work under its Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF), which promotes sustainable practices across the industry. The IPF was launched to address the fashion sector’s environmental impact and to guide businesses towards climate-conscious practices.
The collaboration with CPHFW highlights a growing trend of industry-wide efforts to embed sustainability into fashion’s future.
By combining resources and expertise, the BFC and CPHFW aim to create a unified framework for sustainability that empowers emerging designers and contributes to long-term environmental responsibility.
