ZDHC’s general approach to Legal Requirements

ZDHC's objective is to pursue and drive the widespread adoption of sustainable chemical management practices ​​​​globally. Implementation of the ZDHC ecosystem of Guidelines, Platforms and Solutions is a critical element of these practices and is growing rapidly in volume worldwide.  This ambitious goal means our guidelines cannot always consider all specific legal requirements because;

• Firstly, the management of chemicals and its impact is governed by a complex and wide range of environmental, health and safety legal requirements
• Secondly, legal requirements even on similar topics, often vary widely between different jurisdictions
• Thirdly, our aim is to develop singular requirements that can be applied globally
• Fourthly, we aim for aspirational requirements that are based on continuous improvement

Neither the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme nor other elements of the ZDHC ecosystem (e.g ZDHC Leader Programmes) are structured to include, accommodate or ensure that legal requirements are met or achieved.  Put another way,  ZDHC core business does not and will not in the future extend to;

• establishing or maintaining the resources or competencies to track legal requirements,
• monitoring, assuring, ensuring or verifying compliance.

Regardless of the situation, the legal requirements must always be met. It is the responsibility of any organisation, that use our tools, platforms and solutions or otherwise engage with us, to ensure that they operate in compliance with all laws that are applicable to them.