‘Milestone’ for ZDHC as it publishes restricted substance list
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Group has reached what it describes as a “significant milestone” by issuing a manufacturing restricted substance list (MRSL), after more than two years of collaboration between the brands.
The MRSL applies to chemicals used in facilities that process textile materials and trim parts for use in apparel and footwear for members including Nike, adidas, Jack Wolfskin and Burberry.
ZDHC programme manager Cheryl Kreindler said: "By delivering the change that we would like to see in all parts of the supply chain - brands, chemical suppliers, manufacturers and other intermediaries - we hope to motivate dyehouses, chemical suppliers, other brands and key stakeholders to adopt ambitious chemical management standards. Our goal is to encourage them to innovate and establish new ways of reducing and eliminating hazardous chemicals.”
The ZDHC MRSL establishes concentration limits for substances in chemical formulations. The list will assist brands, supply chains and the broader industry in adopting a harmonised approach to phasing out/substituting hazardous substances potentially used and discharged into the environment during manufacturing and related processes.
Chemicals on the MRSL include ingredients potentially used in cleaners, solvents, adhesives, stabilizers, paints, inks, detergents, dyes, pigments, auxiliaries, coatings and finishing agents used for wet processing, maintenance, wastewater treatment, sanitation and pest control. Substances identified as priority chemicals without safer alternatives were placed on a Research List for additional investigation.
