ZDHC launches Gateway Chemical Module

The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation -- a collaboration of leading brands, value chain affiliates, and associates leading the textile industry towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals -- has announced the soft launch of the Chemical Module of the ZDHC Gateway on June 1, 2017 to the ZDHC Contributor Community, after a six month pilot.

The Chemical Module of ZDHC’s Gateway makes information on sustainable chemistry broadly available and is an online search tool that will help chemical buyers to choose safer options available in the market.

The product rating in the Chemical Module is based on third-party product accreditation standards which show to which level (ranging from 0 to 3) a chemical product conforms to the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL). A high level rating of conformance - based on ZDHC’s MRSL Conformance Guidance, indicates a high level confidence that the chemical formulation conforms to the ZDHC MRSL.

ZDHC executive director Frank Michel said, “We’re really excited for the launch of this tool that will be invaluable in providing clear, easily-accessible information on whether a chemical conforms to the ZDHC MRSL. For this next exciting phase, we’re calling on the ZDHC Contributor Community to engage their relevant value chain partners.”

Throughout 2017, the ZDHC Foundation plans to further expand the functionality while continuing to manage the user and database growth. Together with the ZDHC community, the ZDHC Programme will ensure the right balance of chemical formulator and textile supplier participation while significantly accelerating the growth of the Gateway user base as compared to the controlled participation during the pilot phase.

As the ZDHC Gateway improves and evolves, ZDHC will streamline an open system registration process. It is anticipated that in the first quarter of 2018, in addition to eliminating the need for any coordination with ZDHC, the ZDHC Gateway will be offered to any company within the textile, leather and footwear value chain - even those who are not ZDHC signatory brands or value chain affiliates.