Discover Chemicals to Zero (CtZ): The clear pathway to leadership in safety and sustainability
Chemicals to Zero is a core pillar of the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero, it is the industry’s shared pathway for transforming chemical use. Driving better chemistry in chemical formulations used in the textile, apparel, leather and footwear industries. It is the formulation's journey through 3 levels: Foundational, Progressive, 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.
Builds on Foundational, adding performance predictors relating to RSL compliance in end products, when applied as per instructions of the chemical formulator.
Will build further on the Progressive level adding in sustainable chemistry attributes.
The Chemicals to Zero (CtZ) Programme defines three levels of ZDHC chemical product conformance, each level building on the previous one. This tiered system allows for a stepwise, realistic transition of chemical products formulations toward the ultimate goal of zero hazardous chemicals. It serves as a practical and strategic guide for stakeholders engaged in sustainable chemical management, developed to support shared accountability among brands, suppliers, chemical suppliers and solution providers.
Transforming chemical use in the value chain is a marathon, not a sprint. The CtZ levels are designed to support continuous improvement and realistic progression, recognising that Foundational, Progressive, and Aspirational products will coexist for the foreseeable future. Consistent, incremental improvement is the key, and it demands collective action and mutual accountability.
The Chemicals to Zero (CtZ) will be part of the Leader Programme for the chemical industry (called Formulators to Zero) where where CtZ requirements will be combined with additional attributes to assess chemical formulator organisations at each level. The Formulators to Zero Leader Programme concept is currently a work in progress at ZDHC.
The CtZ framework is a guiding principle for the apparel, textile, leather, and footwear industries, promoting safer and more sustainable chemical management by eliminating hazardous chemicals.
This level defines MRSL conformance (Level 2 / Level 3), ensuring chemical formulations meet ZDHC's baseline restrictions and are transparently listed on the ZDHC Gateway. It forms the essential groundwork for responsible chemical use. Requirements are outlined in the ZDHC MRSL Conformance Guidance V2.1
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 Foundational, CtZ-P 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 end products.
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, CtZ-A aims to identify chemical products demonstrating leadership in intrinsic safety, climate impact, and circularity. This level will be about pushing the boundaries towards inherently benign and sustainable chemistry solutions.
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, 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:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Expected Result:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
This level offers a higher degree of confidence in chemical safety and product quality.
Objective:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Key Implication:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Expected Result:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
This level represents the pinnacle of sustainable chemistry, rewarding innovation and leadership.
Objective:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Key Implication:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Expected Result:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Objective:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Key Implication:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Expected Result:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Objective:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Key Implication:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Expected Result:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Objective:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Key Implication:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
Expected Result:
To establish the minimum requirement for chemical formulations by verifying conformance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
The Chemicals to Zero Programme outlines a progression from conformance to leadership, enhancing sustainable chemical management at each level.
(Formulators)
(Mills, Tanneries, etc.)
The CtZ journey is structured stepwise, with each tier featuring entry requirement, key actions, verification, and achievement, illustrating progressive requirements and impact.
Chemical formulation must conform to the ZDHC MRSL Level 2 or 3.
Chemical formulation is already CtZ-Foundational (MRSL Level 2/3 conformant and published on Gateway).
Formulation must fulfil all CtZ-Progressive criteria and pursue leadership in safety, sustainability, climate impact, and circularity. Specific attributes and evidence are evolving.
Independent verification:
CtZ levels are assessed by ZDHC Certifiers and, validating your chemical products and claims—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's certifiers ensure that CtZ-labelled products consistently meet rigorous requriements worldwide.
The result:
Real integrity, proven compliance, and genuine leadership in sustainable chemistry.
The ZDHC Gateway is the central platform for Chemicals to Zero (CtZ), listing every chemical formulation with full documentation, current certificates, and verified evidence, across all levels.
Stakeholders can quickly access CtZ status and compliance documents.
Real-time tracking of updates, certifications, and product changes.
Assures genuine product status, verified through ZDHC systems.
it’s the single source of truth, empowering the industry with trustworthy data for safer, smarter chemical choices.
Join the Roadmap to Zero Programme to commit to a sustainable future for fashion
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