Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals – A Step Closer

How can you move toward the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) goal and reduce chemical discharges from your textile and footwear?

Long regarded as one of the most ecologically harmful industries, the textile and footwear business uses huge quantities of chemicals and water in the production and pursuit of fast fashion. Complex supply chains spanning continents and regulatory boundaries are increasing the challenge of moving toward the zero discharge of hazardous chemicals target.

We have developed a unique suite of services to help you assess risks, identify issues and implement actions in your supply chain. Our approach focuses on:

Training
Assessment
Implementation

Working closely with ZDHC Foundation, we are:

A ZDHC Approved MRSL Conformance Levels 1, 2 and 3 Indicator
A ZDHC Approved Wastewater Testing Laboratory
A ZDHC Accredited Training Provider
A ZDHC Approved Performance InCheck Solution Provider
A ZDHC Approved InCheck Verifier

Read on and discover how to achieve sustainable chemical management in textile, leather, apparel and footwear industry supply chains.

Ask an expert & take a step towards the ZDHC goal.

First name *

Last name *

Job title

Email address *

Telephone

Company *

Location *

Inquiry *

I agree that SGS can use my data for the purposes of dealing with my request, in accordance with the SGS Online Privacy Statement. *

Chemical MRSL Conformance Certification

Our certification scheme enables chemical providers and brands to efficiently demonstrate their chemicals are in compliance to the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL). There are four steps to compliance:

Application
Safety data sheet and document review, onsite assessment, MRSL testing
Evaluation
Certification (dependent on the outcome of steps 1 to 3)

Product Chemical Screening

Our chemical screening program for textile and footwear products is flexible and can be tailored to the requirements of individual brands, markets, product categories and client preferences. It covers regulatory requirements for different global markets (REACH, POPs, CPSIA, CPSA, GB Standards, KC Mark, etc.).

Delivering a faster, more efficient way to screen out restricted substances in products, our program offers lower testing costs compared to traditional analytical techniques. Covering more than 400 restricted substances in one program, our reports deliver straightforward and direct conclusions per market, allowing quick shipment decisions

Wastewater & Sludge Testing

Demonstrating compliance to the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines is simplified with our wastewater and sludge testing services. The textile and footwear industries use large quantities of chemicals and water, which have the potential to become toxic discharges that can adversely impact human health and the environment.

As a ZDHC Approved Wastewater Testing Laboratory, we conduct testing according to the ZDHC wastewater guidelines to monitor wastewater and sludge quality, and identify the root cause of potential issues. Our services ensure that hazardous substances in the production line are controlled, in advance of any wastewater and sludge discharge. This involves sampling and testing for the following items:

Incoming (if requested)
Raw (untreated) wastewater
Treated wastewater
Sludge

ZDHC Training

As a ZDHC Accredited Training Provider we can provide ZDHC training courses to support capacity building to upskill your workforce. The training courses are led by SGS experts with industry experience and can be delivered in local languages. Participants can learn how to implement chemical management and reduce the environmental impact of the textile and footwear industries.

A ZDHC Approved Performance InCheck Solution Provider and InCheck Verifier

Approved Solution Provider and Approved Verifier for ZDHC InCheck Solutions status extends our scope to provide a one stop service for the sustainable and transparent use of chemicals in the textile, footwear and fashion industries.

As an Approved Solution Provider, we can offer ZDHC Performance InCheck to equip organizations with an easy-to-read chemical inventory report that supports their increasing use of sustainable chemistry. Organizations achieve an overall score of ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) conformance for all chemical products within an inventory and are directed to where improvements can be made.

As an Approved Third Party Verifier for ZDHC Verified InCheck – Level 1, we can establish the credibility of an organization’s chemical inventory list – a process which boosts trust in the Performance InCheck Report and the supplier's chemical inventory. It is applicable to all manufacturing facilities including fabric mills, dyeing and finishing units, laundries, printing units, tanneries and footwear assembly units.

SGS Holistic Solution for Managing Zero Discharge for the Textile and Footwear Industry

Download to learn more

ZDHC services

How can you move a step closer to the ZDHC goal and reduce chemical discharges from your textile and footwear activities?

Ask an Expert