January 31, 2025 Day 0: A must-attend event for responsible textile sourcing

The textile industry is evolving, and Day 0 at Performance Days provides a dedicated space for professionals to align on best practices. This expert-led session, held on March 4, will explore the latest industry frameworks, from the EU Green Deal’s Product Environmental Footprints to material impact assessments, offering practical insights for brands, designers, and supply chain teams.

Topics which will be discussed at the conference include the role of NGOs in sustainability and the importance of sustainability standards. Furthermore, there will be time for interactive workshops, guided by moderator Mark Shayler.

“Better Practice” is a shared aspiration—not just for brands, designers, and fabric developers, but also for garment users. However, this concept has largely evolved without structured formal training. Traditionally, information has trickled down the supply chain via fee-charging NGOs, through new employees—often with non-textile backgrounds—or been pieced together through individual research efforts. Day 0 at Performance Days is an opportunity to address this imbalance, condensed into a focused session, held the day before the ingredient sourcing event in Munich on March 5-6.

Key topics: Responsible sourcing and material impact

At the turn of the millennium, Bluesign played a pivotal role in helping design teams assess the impact of textile ingredients. Since then, efforts have centered on sourcing “less harmful” alternatives. The Higg Index’s Material Sustainability Index brought further clarity, and now, the incoming Product Environmental Footprints as part of the EU Green Deal represent the next critical knowledge area. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) departments are becoming more prevalent in some brands, but the need for shared baselines and clear focus points is greater than ever.

Day 0 will be dedicated to establishing these baselines and identifying where further attention is needed.

Who should attend?

This session is tailored for:

• Design & Development teams seeking balanced, actionable insights.
• Supply chain professionals often accused of greenwashing due to communication gaps.
• CSR specialists who need a deeper understanding of fabric and textile processes.

In short, anyone in the textile industry who wants an accessible introduction to “doing better” will benefit from attending.

Interactive learning with industry experts

The workshop features high-impact topics in an interactive, hands-on setting. Round-table seating encourages networking and discussion, with each table guided by an expert facilitator. Throughout the day, participants will engage in thought-provoking presentations and explore fresh ideas to ensure their efforts toward responsibility are focused on what truly matters. At the end, participants will leave equipped with actionable knowledge to implement immediately on Day 1 of the fair.

Day 0 will be led by Mark Shayler, who delivered the sustainability keynote at the recent European Outdoor Summit, inspiring CEOs to rethink their strategies. This time, his focus will be on the practitioners implementing these changes. Mark will be supported by a team of experts, with each table assigned a specialist to guide attendees through the topics.

“Better Practice” is about making informed choices and compromises—understanding that every decision has an impact. This evolving field is best approached as a journey, and Day 0 provides an ideal starting point.

Photos: Performance Days