ZDHC shares its tools openly, but using ZDHC intellectual property (IP) in public claims needs to be accurate and fair. Our Reference Licence helps brands and service providers communicate their ZDHC Roadmap to Zero alignment correctly, so only active, legitimate participants can make ZDHC-related claims with confidence
Register interestPrevent unauthorised organisations from implying ZDHC participation or verified progress when they do not meet the requirements, which undermines stakeholder trust.
The Roadmap to Zero is free to trial, but public claims require commitment. Licensing ensures organisations contributing to ZDHC's mission can rightfully benefit from association.
Prevent unauthorised organisations from implying ZDHC participation or verified progress when they do not meet the requirements, which undermines stakeholder trust.
Prevent unauthorised organisations from implying ZDHC participation or verified progress when they do not meet the requirements, which undermines stakeholder trust.
This framework standardises how organisations reference ZDHC and Roadmap to Zero.
Organisations register their interest, select their business type (brand or service provider), and choose the relevant licensing tier. This formalises the relationship and the scope of permitted claims.
Licensed organisations appear in a public ZDHC registry — a searchable directory where anyone (regulators, investors, partners, clients) can verify an organisation's license to make ZDHC-related claims.
ZDHC actively monitors and enforces against unsubstantiated or unauthorised use of its IP. Organisations making claims without a licence risk legal action.
Reference claims allow organisations to communicate their use of ZDHC frameworks for policies, expectations and disclosures, without making performance claims. This licence is distinct from signatory status or service provider approval
Your Reference Licence grants you the right to:
Use ZDHC terminology in policies, supplier requirements, and sustainability reporting
Reference ZDHC frameworks (MRSL, Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines) in your chemical management programme
Communicate your organisation's alignment with the Roadmap to Zero methodology
Be listed in the public registry of licensed organisations
Important distinction
Reference claims describe how you use ZDHC requirements (e.g., "Our `RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL"). Performance claims describe results (e.g., "X% of our suppliers meet ZDHC MRSL"). Performance claims require a separate Data-Backed Licence (coming soon).
What you can say:
Our RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL.
We require suppliers to align with the ZDHC MRSL in chemical inputs.
The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines inform our wastewater expectations.
What you can’t say:
Our suppliers are ZDHC MRSL conformant.
X% of suppliers meet the ZDHC MRSL.
We are ZDHC-certified. (No such certification exists).
Your Reference Licence grants you the right to:
Use ZDHC terminology in policies, supplier requirements, and sustainability reporting
Reference ZDHC frameworks (MRSL, Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines) in your chemical management programme
Communicate your organisation's alignment with the Roadmap to Zero methodology
Be listed in the public registry of licensed organisations
Important distinction
Reference claims describe how you use ZDHC requirements (e.g., "Our `RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL"). Performance claims describe results (e.g., "X% of our suppliers meet ZDHC MRSL"). Performance claims require a separate Data-Backed Licence (coming soon).
What you can say:
Our RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL.
We require suppliers to align with the ZDHC MRSL in chemical inputs.
The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines inform our wastewater expectations.
What you can’t say:
Our suppliers are ZDHC MRSL conformant.
X% of suppliers meet the ZDHC MRSL.
We are ZDHC-certified. (No such certification exists).
For performance statements that rely on supplier data. Must be connected to Gateway data. Brands and service providers require different licences.
What you can say:
Our RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL.
We require suppliers to align with the ZDHC MRSL in chemical inputs.
The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines inform our wastewater expectations.
What you can say:
Our RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL.
We require suppliers to align with the ZDHC MRSL in chemical inputs.
The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines inform our wastewater expectations.
Contact us to learn about becoming a ZDHC Signatory, Friend Brand, or Approved Service Provider.