The textile and leather industry is under pressure to minimize their impact on the environment and improve the sustainability of supply chains. The use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process, which may be discharged into wastewater, is one area under scrutiny. Numerous initiatives have emerged to address this issue, including the Roadmap to Zero Programme from the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation. This program was developed in response to the Greenpeace Detox campaign, which demands that hazardous chemicals are replaced by safer alternatives in textile and leather supply chains.
The importance of reducing hazardous chemicals discharge
Many chemicals are used in the fashion manufacturing process, including anti-mold and bacteria-killing agents or water repellents in footwear and clothing. Consumers wearing these articles run the risk of skin irritation and allergies, and unless adequate health and safety protections are in place, workers may also be exposed to hazardous substances. Additionally, bodies of water around manufacturing facilities are at risk of being damaged when chemicals are not adequately managed, affecting biodiversity in these areas.
As legal requirements become more stringent, and consumer demand for transparency increases, many organizations are establishing sustainable chemistry requirements and processes. Implementing a sustainable approach can help you reduce hazardous chemicals discharged in wastewater, enabling you to minimize possible risks to human health and the environment while promoting the prevention of pollution at the source.
Understanding the ZDHC program
The ZDHC is a multi-stakeholder organization and is well established in the textile and leather industry with brands, suppliers, solution providers and chemical suppliers.
Through wastewater testing, the adoption of a Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) and ZDHC certifications, the Roadmap to Zero Programme evaluates different steps of the value chain and establishes specific modules, guidelines, requirements and tools to help organizations implement a sustainable chemistry approach.
How UL Solutions supports ZDHC compliance
As an Approved Solution Provider of ZDHC, UL Solutions offers chemical management strategy development for the textile and leather industry and their global supply chains.
The ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme
ZDHC Certification and Testing with UL Solutions
ZDHC MRSL Certification
UL Solutions offers certifications to ZDHC MRSL, which can help you demonstrate the chemical formulations used in a product’s manufacturing do not contain any substances on the restricted list.
ZDHC Performance InCheck
Through our collaboration with ADEC Innovations, the technology provider behind the supply chain software as a service (SaaS) platform CleanChain, we offer the ZDHC Performance InCheck Report (Inventory Check) to check chemical inventories against the ZDHC MRSL on the ZDHC Gateway.
ZDHC Verified InCheck
Our experts can provide the Verified InCheck on-site review service, enhancing the credibility of the chemical inventory used by your suppliers to generate the Performance InCheck Reports.
ZDHC Supplier to Zero (StZ) Level 2 Reviewer
UL Solutions is an Approved Supplier to Zero Reviewer, a verification body approved by ZDHC to review supplier submissions in accordance to the ZDHC Chemical Management System Technical Industry Guide (CMS TIG) for the Supplier to Zero Solution. The review process is the mechanism to verify that a supplier has successfully implemented the required chemical management best practices and has provided sufficient evidence using the Supplier to Zero Platform. It is a crucial step for a supplier to move from a self-assessment to a third-party certified status, which can demonstrate their commitment and performance to brand partners and the wider industry.
Wastewater testing and analysis according to ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
Our ZDHC-approved laboratories can conduct wastewater and sludge analysis according to the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. We also submit data on behalf of suppliers to the ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module. Wastewater tests determine the safety measures against the use of prohibited and high-risk chemicals.
Chemical management program development
Our chemical experts can support you in all aspects of the chemical management program, including the development of a restricted substances list, the inventory of chemicals and the implementation of a suitable test program that considers the entire supply chain.
Official ZDHC trainings
To help equip brands and suppliers with skills in chemical management, risk assessment and increasing environmental protection through controlling and treating wastewater discharge from factories, we offer official ZDHC trainings in multiple languages.
Benefits of ZDHC Certification with UL Solutions
Partnering with UL Solutions for ZDHC related services supports your efforts to:
- Reduce the use and discharge of hazardous chemicals
- Mitigate risks across your supply chain
- Enhance compliance with ZDHC MRSL and other specific restricted substances lists (RSLs)
- Better engage with your supply chain
- Improve supply chain data management
- Gain visibility into tier 2 and 3 suppliers
- Achieve your key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Automate your chemical inventory check
The UL Solutions and ADEC Innovations partnership
UL Solutions partners with ADEC Innovations to enhance chemical management across global supply chains in alignment with the ZDHC initiative for the apparel, footwear and accessories industry. With this partnership, the CleanChain platform seamlessly integrates into UL Solutions services, offering a cohesive and data-driven solution for chemical management across the entire supply chain. This integration provides greater visibility into chemical inventories, managing chemicals hazardous to human health and the environment, and driving continuous improvement in sustainability performance. The bundled solution includes official ZDHC trainings for the value chain, wastewater testing and reporting, MRSL certification and monthly ZDHC Performance InCheck reports generation.
Are you ready to improve your chemical management strategy along your global supply chain?
Learn how we can help support your alignment with ZDHC.
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