According to Chemical Watch on 6 May 2015, key achievements and plans towards improving the textile industry’s environmental performance have been set out in the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) group's latest annual report.

2014 Progress towards zero discharge
◎Prioritised chemical substances
◎Established the ZDHC Audit Protocol
◎Conducted chemicals management training
◎Engaged with key stakeholders

In 2014, the group, which is made up of 21 major apparel and footwear brands, released a list of
manufacturing restricted substances (MRSL), a framework for prioritising hazardous chemicals for elimination or substitution, a “research list” and eleven chemical guidance sheets to support the MRSL.

Key stakeholders may focus on the research of alternatives on prioritising chemicals so that such substances listed in the MRSL can be phased out in the supplier chain. Chemicals on the research list, for which safe limits are being sought, include ethylbenzene, methanol, phenol, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethanol and 2-methoxypropanol.

The chemical guidance sheets mainly focus on toluene, nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylates, long-chain perfluoroalkyl acids, phthalates, halogenated solvents, organotins, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, chlorophenols, chlorinated benzenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons/naphthalene. They are available in many languages including simplified Chinese.

Follow-up plans
◎ZDHC is seeking safer alternatives include dimethyl formamide (DMF), n,n-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and toluene, as well as short-chain perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs).
◎The group is developing an MRSL compliance framework to verify chemical formulations and a draft document is currently under review. There are also plans to update the MRSL to include limits for leather processing.

Further information
ZDHC 2014 annual report


For textile testing please contact us：
Laura Ho
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Email:hl@cirs-group.com
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