Sustainability Requirements
Sustainability
With a stong belief in the power of collaboration, Fashion Council Germany has announced a joining of forces with Copenhagen Fashion Week in June 2025 to introduce and implement the Sustainability Requirements Framework to Berlin Fashion Week.
By joining forces, both locations aim to promote sustainability measures in the fashion industry in the Nordic and German markets. Supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises and realised by the Fashion Council Germany, this is a further step for BFW on its way to becoming a transparent and responsible fashion platform.
From SS27 onwards, brands must meet the minimum requirements to participate in the Talent Support schemes and to be listed on the official show schedule.
The Sustainability Requirements serve as a framework within the application process for the Berlin Fashion Week schedule and do not constitute a certification or formal audit.
Developed in alignment with the Copenhagen Fashion Week framework and based on existing guidelines, standards, and industry tools, they aim to support a shared direction for sustainability across the fashion industry.
The framework includes a set of Minimum Standards that must be met in order to be listed in the official schedule, as well as Additional Actions that encourage continuous development. For Berlin Fashion Week, this is complemented by a specific focus on transparency and traceability within the value chain, reflecting Germany’s supply chain regulations, as well as a dedicated Code of Conduct addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB).
As part of the application process, brands are required to complete a detailed self-assessment survey covering the Sustainability Requirements. Submissions are reviewed by an independent party, which assesses the provided information for completeness and consistency.
More information on the implementation process and timeline can be found here: Implementation of the Sustainability Requirementsand in the following Videos:
Minimum Standards
Additional Actions Focus Area Strategic Direction
Additional Actions Focus Area Design
Additional Actions Focus Area Smart Material Choices
Additional Actions Focus Area Working Conditions I
Additional Actions Focus Area Working Conditions II
Additional Actions Focus Area Consumer Engagement
Additional Actions Focus Area Showcase Production
The first three seasons following the introduction of the Sustainability Requirements, AW25, SS26, and AW26, marked a pilot phase to assess participating brands’ current sustainability performance. Designed as a guiding tool, this phase provided brands with valuable insight into their positioning. Following its conclusion, participation in Berlin Fashion Week requires meeting all defined Minimum Standards.
Brands that have never previously presented at BFW will enter a two-season pilot phase upon successful registration. During this period, they are required to complete the Sustainability Survey; however, the results will not yet be enforced.
Fashion Council Germany will continue to support brands that have not yet met these standards, encouraging and guiding their progress toward future compliance.
Raphael Schreiber