Fund Our Shared Future 

Help preserve our resources and protect future generations, 
fund ZDHC Projects to detox the fashion and footwear supply chain.

Create Collaborative Impact 

ZDHC envisions a toxic-free future in fashion and footwear for our consumers, workers and the environment. We are working with leading NGOs, policymakers and public institutions to challenge the industry together. 

Existing and aligned global frameworks can achieve considerably more than clustered regulations. ZDHC is accepted and policed by global brands to drive collective impact. For our stakeholders at brands, manufacturers and chemical suppliers, we guide the industry towards implementing a seamless chemical management framework until this shared future is a reality. 


We address the source of the problem, re-engineer the entry point to production, and evolve the product creation process until safer, economically viable and sustainable solutions can be offered at scale. To foster the innovation that preserves our planet, we are looking for your funding to research, develop and pioneer future-embracing solutions.

ZDHC ingredients of success

Large implementation base

Thriving Brand & Retailer community, covering the global fashion & footwear industry

5.200+ facilities, targeting to grow to 12.000 over the next 3 years

1.400+ chemical manufacturers

Publicly available resources

The Roadmap to Zero Programme publishes global guidelines to drive large-scale industry-wide implementation

The ZDHC Implementation HUB provides extensive implementation tools & solutions

Supplier to Zero programme offers solutions, training and experts. 

Largest global database of sustainable chemistry

The ZDHC Gateway includes nearly 46.000 safer alternative chemical products

Large implementation base and thriving community 

Brand & Retailer community, covering a  large percentage of of the global fashion & footwear industry

Our Global Textile industry includes 5.200+ facilities, targeting to grow to 12.000  over next 3 years

Over 1.4000 chemical manufacturers from the global Chemical industry have joined ZDHC today

Largest global database of sustainable chemistry

The ZDHC Gateway includes nearly 46.000 safer alternative chemical products

Publicly available resources are the key to our success to drive large-scale industry-wide implementation

The Roadmap to Zero Programme publishes global guidelines 

The ZDHC Implementation HUB provides extensive implementation tools & solutions

Supplier to Zero programme offers solutions, training and experts. 

Why Fund ZDHC Projects 

Sustainable chemistry has moved to the very top of the European Commission agenda and policymakers worldwide, as well as the investment community. 

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Sustainability undoubtedly remains the top priority for the coming years and with increasing urgency. Starting this year, new regulations related to due diligence and governance in the supply chain will become mandatory in the European Union, applicable to global supply chain. As a natural effect, the EU chemicals strategy is becoming an integrated part of the Green Deal. 

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The Brands and Apparel sectors sit firmly at the nexus of growing demand from customers, governments, and investors to address material ESG externalities across the value chain. 

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As the leading initiative in sustainable chemical management for the apparel and footwear industry, ZDHC will further advance implementation and continue to drive a positive conjoint impact on our planet’s interest and society’s well-being. 

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ZDHC has identified the following key projects and areas which match the DNA of ZDHC, as well as market needs, to work collaboratively via funding and investment support from organisations including philanthropic, governmental, public institutions, development agencies and financial investment institutions.

Sustainability undoubtedly remains the top priority for the coming years and with increasing urgency. Starting this year, new regulations related to due diligence and governance in the supply chain will become mandatory in the European Union, applicable to the global supply chain. As a natural effect, the EU chemicals strategy is becoming an integrated part of the Green Deal. 

The Brands and Apparel sectors sit firmly at the nexus of growing demand from customers, governments, and investors to address material ESG externalities across the value chain. 

As the leading initiative in sustainable chemical management for the apparel and footwear industry, ZDHC will further advance implementation and continue to drive a positive conjoint impact on our planet’s interest and society’s well-being. 

ZDHC has identified the following key projects and areas which match the DNA of ZDHC, as well as market needs, to work collaboratively via funding and investment support from organisations including philanthropic, governmental, public institutions, development agencies and financial investment institutions:

Call for funding ZDHC Projects

Sustainable Chemistry has moved to the very top of the European Commission agenda and policymakers worldwide, as well the investment community. 

Biodiversity is heavily linked to sustainable chemical management. The latter stands at the core of environmental performance indicators such as wastewater, air- and GHG emissions, energy and water pollution. The global fashion and footwear industry must implement sustainable chemical management systems within their supply chains to improve their environmental impact.

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  • improved waste management, water pollution prevention and improved water stewardship through national regulation and ZDHC standard conformance 
  • prevention of harmful chemicals in manufacturing process and end-product
  • reduced air- and GHG emission through facilities process optimisation 
  • improved occupational health & safety through chemicals handling and storage standards

Preserving Our Biodiversity

The positive impact of chemical management on environmental indicators including energy efficiency, GHG reduction and water stewardship

ZDHC engages in building robust air emissions programmes. ZDHC will draw up air guidelines, enforce basic expectations, and highlight areas of opportunity. Support ZDHC to propel the industry towards greater responsibility for our impact within global airsheds and global community health.

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  • consult on air parameters, best practices and reporting limits for testing of hazardous chemicals in air emissions
  • promotion of monitoring methods to suppliers to achieve systemic reductions and open data sharing with consumers, brands, and interested parties.

Reducing Air Pollution

ZDHC Air emission Guidelines propel the positive impact on reduction of air emission and GHG

ZDHC enables the circular economy by eliminating and replacing harmful chemicals within the fashion production process right at the point of sourcing and at the first production cycle. Through chemical risk elimination on further recycles of the product and materials, ZDHC helps to establish pre- and post-consumer recyclability.

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  •  creating fit for purpose materials 
  •  scaling the circular economy 
  •  unlocking circular solutions  
  •  expanding adoption of ZDHC MRSL for chemical recovery 

Enabling Circularity

Chemistry plays a critical role in a circular economy and reduces environmental footprint

Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology will radically change how we calculate and compare footprints. But this would only work if you can rely on the quality of the information. The ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme supports the collection of facility-level chemical, air and wastewater data, enabling a product-specific Bill of Material and Bill of Substances. To move from transparency to traceability and link a product back to the specific chemicals used at a facility, the ZDHC Foundation collaborates with the Open Apparel Registry to develop such a list of unique facility identifiers.

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  • avoid duplication and reduce the complexity in the supply chain 
  • enhance the enabling technology for supply chain due diligence and PEF traceability
  • develop a product-specific Bill of Material and Bill of Substances, to provide full visibility over the environmental footprint of products you can buy

Supporting Product Environmental Footprint

ZDHC supports PEF, supply chain due diligence and transparency via traceability of enabling technology

Sustainable Chemistry is a transformative approach contributing to innovative solutions to resource efficiency, the circular economy as well as carbon-neutrality. With the aim to ignite innovation within the chemical industry, ZDHC invests in the new ZDHC Formulation to Zero Programme. It brings the existing initiatives of ZDHC MRSL conformance (ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List) to create an industry-wide approach to demonstrate sustainable chemistry excellence and positively influence LCA (Life Cycle Assessment).

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  • ignite innovation within the chemical industry
  • drive positive impact through reduction of chemical hazard & exposure and improve environmental performance indicators (air, waste, energy and water).
  • connect different players in LCA supply chain framework to evaluate various trade- offs

Sustainable Chemistry & Resource Management

Innovation in manufacturing processes through sustainable chemistry

Even though the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme has reached a critical mass of adoption by global brands, retailers and local manufacturers, it lacks presence in particular production regions. Extending our reach within the Mediterranean and Latin America through the ZDHC Implementation HUB and growing our local representation will expand the positive impact of sustainable chemical management and strengthen business connectivity. It will bring economic development to regions of interest and create global market access for textile, apparel and leather companies.

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  • expand ZDHC resource capacity to form relations with regional and local industry associations, manufacturers, brand representatives, NGOs, policymakers
  • map the local needs relating to the Roadmap to Zero Programme implementation
  • increase the adoption of ZDHC guidelines, platforms and solutions in target regions/countries
  • facilitate the permanent sustainable business to business infrastructure

Environmental Supply Chain Management

Growing ZDHC representation and support to the regional supply chain community and improving impact on environmental performance indicators

An estimated 85 to 90% of factories do not comply with industry-led environmental and social sustainability initiatives. A large proportion of this segment includes Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), across Tier 2, 3, and 4 Suppliers. Anticipating upcoming EU legislation and the influence of initiatives such as the EU Green deal would mean this group of suppliers needs to improve their environmental performance. The ZDHC platforms for suppliers have the answers for them to implement for impact.

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  • attract SME’s to focus on cleaner air emission, GHG emission reduction and water stewardship by presenting economically attractive solutions
  • support thousands of SME facilities to improve their chemical and environmental performance via ZDHC Supplier to Zero programme

Untapping SME’s environmental impact

ZDHC platforms enable SMEs to improve their environmental impact and increase their economic viability

Project of the Future

Your project could feature here in the future. Get in touch with ZDHC, contact us at the email and number below to start the discussion.

We are awaiting your ideas!

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ZDHC case studies

Case studies from funded ZDHC Projects show
the successes of collaborating with ZDHC across the globe.

42
Collaborators
Across industries
16
Projects
Active
50
Countries
In 4 continents
case #1

Development of ZDHC Gateway for Wastewater Module

Our Impact -
Groundwork

Waterways and habitats surrounding factories are most at risk to the harmful effects of wastewater. Toxic compounds in the effluent can seriously disrupt our aquatic ecosystems.

The ZDHC Gateway - Wastewater Module is the first global web disclosure platform to increase data transparency and -accuracy between stakeholders. The ZDHC platform centralizes verified data on wastewater testing performed by ZDHC Accredited Laboratories, in line with the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. 

Enabling widespread adoption of good chemical management systems, policies and procedures, the ZDHC gateway leads to greater engagement, understanding and support of the ZDHC vision. Today, ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module hosts 4.800+ Supplier accounts and published over 8.000 wastewater test reports. 

The project, funded by C&A Foundation (now known as Laudes Foundation) in 2016. Six outcomes, identified by the grant, were successfully performed over the course of four years:

  1. User-friendly information system to gather and map wastewater disclosure
  2. Dataset of lab test reports as a basis of facility performance disclosures
  3. Public online disclosure portal to fulfil transparency obligations and accelerate impact
  4. An operating procedure for users that ensures information is timely, accurate and processed according to agreed-upon standards
  5. An expansion of the stakeholder community that agrees to regular wastewater monitoring in a transparent way
  6. Training materials to ensure processes, standards and tools are understood and used correctly to support capacity building and better stewardship practices.
case #2

Phasing out harmful compound DMFAs through ZDHC industry innovation project

Our Impact -
Less discharge

Changing an industry and adopting better production practices does not happen overnight, even if technical solutions seem to be within reach. 

The process of substituting DMFa, like many other restricted substances, requires a mindshift. This project shows that collaborative efforts, open communication and stakeholder engagement brings lasting sustainable change to an industry. 

DMFa (Dimethylformamide) is a volatile organic compound with links to reproductive toxicological issues. The solvents are used in plastics, rubber, and polyurethane coating and do not only create a strong odor in finished products, they are harmful properties subject to regulatory action restricting their use and allowed concentration levels. It is therefore listed in product restricted substances lists (P-RSL) and assessed in final product testing.

To highlight the need for safer alternatives, DMFa became a ‘candidate’ on the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (ZDHC MRSL 2:0). Following REACH legislation, the ZDHC Foundation led an innovation project for sustainable and safer PU production to phase out the use of DMFa. The project was conducted in China and established a new protocol which could be replicated globally. 

The pilot project started in early 2017 and upon its completion in September 2020, ZDHC hosted an InConnect digital meeting to discuss its final results & outcome. Over 25 global brands participated, of which a majority confirmed to implement or plan to implement strategies on DMFa-substitution. 

From a consumer’s perspective, the finishing product remains unchanged. For producers it is a reliable sign that brands’ commitments are put into action.

Get in Touch with ZDHC

Cristina Ameijenda Marcos

Stakeholder Manager

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