ZDHC Certification and Testing Programs - Textile and Leather

ZDHC Certification and Testing Programs

The textile and leather industry is under pressure to minimize their impact on the environment and improve the sustainability of supply chains. One aspect of textile and leather supply chain management under close scrutiny is the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process that may also be discharged into wastewater.

Numerous initiatives have emerged to address this issue, including the Joint Roadmap Toward Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), developed in response to the Greenpeace Detox campaign, which demands that hazardous chemicals are eliminated from textile and leather supply chains to be replaced by safer alternatives.

Through wastewater testing, the adoption of a Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) and ZDHC certifications, the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme evaluates different steps of the value chain and establishes specific modules, guidelines, requirements and tools to implement a sustainable chemistry approach.

The importance of reducing hazardous chemicals discharge

A high number of chemicals are used in the fashion manufacturing process, such as anti-mold and bacteria-killing agents or water repellents in footwear and clothes. Consumers wearing such article can run the risk of skin irritation and allergies, and unless adequate health and safety protections are in place, workers can be exposed to hazardous substances as well. 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 are becoming more stringent in this direction, and also consumer demand for transparency has increased, implementing a sustainable chemistry approach to reduce hazardous chemicals discharged in wastewater can help you minimize possible risks to human health and the environment and promote the prevention of pollution at the source.

Understanding the ZDHC program

ZDHC is a multi-stakeholder organization well established in the textile and leather industry including brands, suppliers, solution providers and chemical suppliers.

The Roadmap to Zero Programme, by ZDHC, leads the Softline industry to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals from the global supply chain developing a chemical management strategy for a more sustainable manufacturing leading to workers, consumers and environmental protection.

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

Our comprehensive ZDHC Certification Services

ZDHC MRSL Certification

UL Solutions offers certifications to ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL), which can help you demonstrate that the chemical formulations used in a product’s manufacturing do not contain any substances restricted by ZDHC MRSL.

ZDHC Performance InCheck

Thanks to 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 offer the Verified InCheck on-site review service, enhancing the credibility of the chemical inventory used by your supplier to generate the Performance InCheck Reports.

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 and 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 takes the entire supply chain into consideration.

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 support you in your efforts to:

• Reduce the use and discharge of hazardous chemicals
• Mitigate risks across your supply chain
• Enhance compliance with ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (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

Are you ready to improve your chemical management strategy along your global supply chain?

Contact us today to learn how we can support for your chemical management strategy in alignment with ZDHC.