Discover Chemicals to Zero (CtZ): The clear pathway to leadership in safety and sustainability for chemical formulators
Chemicals to Zero is a journey for chemical formulations that starts with ZDHC conformance, progresses to an evaluation of MRSL and RSL compliance, and finally, to an evaluation of the sustainability attributes. This journey is represented through three levels: Foundational, Progressive and Aspirational.
Providing a unified language and credible system to manage chemical risk, drive innovation and demonstrate a commitment to safer products for chemical formulators, brands, retailers and suppliers. Whether you are creating, using, or sourcing chemicals, CtZ offers a verifiable way to not only meet industry standards but also lead them.
ZDHC’s vision is to have better chemistry to protect life, land, air, and water. Chemicals to Zero supports this by building through the three levels: Foundational, Progressive, and Aspirational.
It pushes formulations not only to be conformant to the ZDHC MRSL but also to address RSL risks and even identify leading formulations in environmental attributes.
The Chemicals to Zero Programme outlines a progression from conformance to leadership, emphasising continuous improvement in sustainable chemical management as each level builds upon the previous one.
This level ensures chemical products meet ZDHC MRSL safety requirements, banning prohibited substances. A formulation at the Foundational Level contains no intentionally added substances banned by the ZDHC MRSL above allowable trace thresholds.
ZDHC MRSL Conformance Guidance V2.1 ↗
Objective:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Key Implication:
Achieve ZDHC MRSL Conformance Level 1, 2, or 3 for the product, with any levels qualifying as CtZ‑Foundational
Expected Result:
Foundational Level is the entry point that establishes a trusted baseline for safer input chemistry by meeting ZDHC MRSL and basic transparency, thereby locking out the worst substances from the start.
What it is not:
While this level ensures MRSL conformance, it is not a full product safety certification for restricted substances in end products. Its focus is specifically on the chemical formulation itself.
Building significantly on the Foundational Level, the Progressive Level addresses RSL risks beyond basic ZDHC MRSL conformance through rigorous evaluation and added quality assurance. This level provides enhanced confidence in safer input chemistry, aiming to reduce risks in finished products.
Objective:
To demonstrate product‑safety/RSL risk management. When applied as instructed, the formulation is expected to meet AFIRM RSL limits in finished goods, moving from input control to predicted output safety.
Key Implication:
Use accepted evidence pathways such as analytical modelling, ingredient screening and disclosure or certification by schemes that include RSL checks.
Expected Result:
Builds on the Foundational Level by adding expected finished-product safety (AFIRM RSL) when used as directed, deeper transparency and early sustainability steps, typically verified at MRSL Level 2 or 3.
What it is not:
CtZ-P is not a simple RSL compliance checklist nor an end-of-pipe testing solution. It’s a comprehensive framework for proactive risk management of chemical inputs when applied as per the formulators application guidelines. It does not guarantee zero RSL failures.
Representing the programme’s ultimate vision, The Aspirational Level aims to identify chemical products demonstrating leadership in intrinsic safety, climate impact, and circularity. This level is about pushing the boundaries towards inherently benign and sustainable chemistry solutions.
Objective:
To quantify environmental performance with product-level sustainability metrics, such as carbon footprint, using recognised methods that are aligned with the Sustainable Chemistry Index methodology, integrated into CtZ.
Key Implication:
Utilise renewable and/or recycled feedstocks with a credible chain of custody, ensuring complete ingredient transparency and integration with advanced traceability systems to demonstrate circularity, minimise climate impact, and enable benchmarking.
Expected Result:
Aspirational Level recognises top performers that combine the highest safety assurance with verified sustainability and circularity, underpinned by robust transparency and traceability.
What it is not:
This level is not currently available but is an evolving framework for future innovation. It is not an incremental update but a transformative goal, still under development and subject to ongoing refinement and governance.
Objective:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Key Implication:
Achieve ZDHC MRSL Conformance Level 1, 2, or 3 for the product, with any levels qualifying as CtZ‑Foundational
Expected Result:
Foundational Level is the entry point that establishes a trusted baseline for safer input chemistry by meeting ZDHC MRSL and basic transparency, thereby locking out the worst substances from the start.
What it is not:
While this level ensures MRSL conformance, it is not a full product safety certification for restricted substances in end products. Its focus is specifically on the chemical formulation itself.
Objective:
To demonstrate product‑safety/RSL risk management. When applied as instructed, the formulation is expected to meet AFIRM RSL limits in finished goods, moving from input control to predicted output safety.
Key Implication:
Use accepted evidence pathways such as analytical modelling, ingredient screening and disclosure or certification by schemes that include RSL checks.
Expected Result:
Builds on the Foundational Level by adding expected finished-product safety (AFIRM RSL) when used as directed, deeper transparency and early sustainability steps, typically verified at MRSL Level 2 or 3.
What it is not:
CtZ-P is not a simple RSL compliance checklist nor an end-of-pipe testing solution. It’s a comprehensive framework for proactive risk management of chemical inputs when applied as per the formulators application guidelines. It does not guarantee zero RSL failures.
Objective:
To quantify environmental performance with product-level sustainability metrics, such as carbon footprint, using recognised methods that are aligned with the Sustainable Chemistry Index methodology, integrated into CtZ.
Key Implication:
Utilise renewable and/or recycled feedstocks with a credible chain of custody, ensuring complete ingredient transparency and integration with advanced traceability systems to demonstrate circularity, minimise climate impact, and enable benchmarking.
Expected Result:
Aspirational Level recognises top performers that combine the highest safety assurance with verified sustainability and circularity, underpinned by robust transparency and traceability.
What it is not:
This level is not currently available but is an evolving framework for future innovation. It is not an incremental update but a transformative goal, still under development and subject to ongoing refinement and governance.
The Chemicals to Zero Programme outlines a progression from conformance to leadership, enhancing sustainable chemical management at each level.
(Formulators)
(mills, tanneries, etc.)
Independent verification:
CtZ levels are assessed and verified by third-party organisations, ZDHC Approved CtZ Certifiers - No shortcuts, removing any guesswork.
Reliable data, always up-to-date:
The ZDHC Gateway is your single source of truth, offering CtZ listings with full documentation, current certificates, and transparent evidence, all accessible with a click.
Ongoing quality assurance:
Regular assessments, surveillance, and smart traceability maintain high standards and ensure industry compliance. As CtZ evolves, its requirements do too, keeping credibility dynamic.
The role of ZDHC Approved Chemicals to Zero Certifiers and third-party assessment
Ongoing quality assurance:
Regular assessments, surveillance, and smart traceability maintain high standards and ensure industry compliance. As CtZ evolves, its requirements do too, keeping credibility dynamic.
Learn how it works →What this means for you:
Every claim is supported by impartial, globally recognised evidence. ZDHC Approved CtZ Certifiers ensure that CtZ-labelled products consistently meet rigorous requriements worldwide.
The result:
Real integrity, proven compliance, and genuine leadership in sustainable chemistry.
Guidelines aimed at chemical formulators for the implementation of Chemicals to Zero Progressive Level
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