ZDHC
ZDHC is an international industry collaboration program aimed at properly managing chemicals used in manufacturing processes for textiles, leather, and other materials, and reducing the release of hazardous chemicals.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Positioning
ZDHC is an initiative aimed at improving chemical management in supply chains for textiles, leather, footwear, and related products. It is not a law itself, nor is it a certification system that is uniformly granted to individual fabrics or products.
The core idea is the management of chemicals used in manufacturing. It covers not only substances contained in raw materials through to final products, but also processes such as dyeing, printing, washing, and functional finishing, as well as wastewater.
MRSL and the Concept of Standards
The MRSL widely referenced in ZDHC stands for Manufacturing Restricted Substances List. It is a concept that identifies chemicals that should not be intentionally used, or should be controlled, in manufacturing processes, rather than focusing only on the amount remaining in fabrics or products.
When confirming compliance with the MRSL, formulations for dyes, pigments, auxiliaries, water-repellent agents, resins, and similar substances, as well as chemical management at processing plants, become important. Since the substances covered, scope of application, and required levels vary depending on the version and customer requirements, confirm the latest conditions.
- The MRSL focuses on the use of chemicals in the manufacturing process.
- Product testing alone may not sufficiently demonstrate chemical management in the process.
- Wastewater management, chemical storage, and input records may also be items for confirmation.
Checks for Fabric Procurement and Product Manufacturing
When procuring fabric, clarify the scope of any ZDHC-related claims. Separate whether the information concerns the fabric itself, the factory that carried out dyeing and finishing, or the chemicals used, and confirm the target lot, color, processing details, and issue date.
When custom colors, additional processing, product washing, or printing are involved, information at the fabric stage alone is not sufficient. Communicate the same level of management requirements to downstream processing plants, and specify in the specifications or purchase conditions how changes to formulations will be communicated, how testing will be conducted, and how records will be submitted.
- The ZDHC version and compliance level required by the customer
- The scope of fabrics, colors, processing, and lots covered
- Chemical compliance information and processing plant management information
- Whether confirmation or testing is required after additional processing
Notes on Labeling and Certificates
ZDHC initiatives, MRSL compliance, chemical certifications, and wastewater test results do not mean the same thing. Expressions such as "ZDHC-certified fabric" can easily make the certifying body, evaluation target, and supporting documents unclear, so confirm the customer and labeling requirements before use.
Submission documents may consist of self-declarations, chemical compliance certificates, test reports, and materials related to factory audits or wastewater management. Do not judge by the document name alone; it is important to confirm the issuer, subject, applicable standard, validity period, and linkage to the product.
Differences from Similar Terms
Oeko-Tex is often treated as testing and certification for hazardous substances in products or materials, while ZDHC emphasizes chemical management in the manufacturing process. Although the two overlap in part of their purpose, the scope of verification and supporting documents are not the same.
GOTS, GRS, and OCS are certifications that mainly deal with the origin of organic or recycled materials, process management, and labeling. The REACH Regulation is a legal regulation. ZDHC does not replace these; they are confirmed in parallel as required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ZDHC a certification for fabrics?
ZDHC is not a system that uniformly certifies fabric alone, but an initiative that promotes chemical management in the manufacturing process. When confirming fabrics, verify the status of MRSL compliance, the processing steps covered, and the type of supporting documents and target lots on an individual basis.
Does MRSL compliance guarantee product safety?
MRSL compliance is primarily information related to the management of chemicals used in the manufacturing process. It does not by itself guarantee the safety of the final product, compliance with regulations in the sales country, or the performance for a specific application. Necessary product testing and regulatory checks must be carried out separately.
What documents should be checked when claiming ZDHC compliance?
Depending on the scope of the claim, check chemical compliance information, processing plant management documents, and test reports. Confirm the issuer of the document, the version of the standard, the target process, the target fabric or lot, the issue date, and validity, and ensure the wording of the claim does not exceed the evidence.
