Input
process
Output


Sampling & Analysis Plan

Continuous improvement of sampling and testing data

In the spirit of continuous improvement, the ZDHC Wastewater and Sludge Laboratory Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) will be reviewed on a regular basis and revised as needed to incorporate learnings and opportunities identified during the practical application and implementation of these procedures. 

All ZDHC Accepted Laboratories must refer to the current versions of both the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines and the SAP when conducting sampling and testing/analysis, as both documents complement one another.


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ZDHC Wastewater Update Principles and Procedures

The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines is a living document, and changes will need to be made as new innovations and data, such as, updates to the MRSL and conventional parameters, improvements in sampling methods, new data on substances, become available.

It is vital that ZDHC is transparent and inclusive in the decision making process when actioning these updates, reviewing proposals from the ZDHC Committed Community in a set procedure detailed in this document.

All ZDHC Accepted Laboratories must refer to the current versions of both the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines and the SAP when conducting sampling and testing/analysis, as both documents complement one another.

Key features of the document are:
  1. Transparent revision process: The document provides a detailed overview of the revision process, including the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders. This transparency enables industry players to actively contribute to the development and improvement of the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines.
  2. Collaborative effort: The "Wastewater Principles and Procedure" document emphasises the importance of collaboration among stakeholders. It encourages engagement through hackathons, towns halls, focus groups, advisory groups and expert reviews, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered during the revision process.
  3. Science and risk-based revision approach: ZDHC advocates a scientific approach to the Wastewater Guidelines review that is why there is emphasise on the role of the Wastewater Council and the support ZDHC Water SME offers throughout the process.
  4. Continuous improvement: ZDHC recognises that sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement. The document highlights the iterative nature of the Wastewater Guidelines, allowing for regular updates based on emerging science, technological advancements, and industry best practices.

The update of the Wastewater Guidelines also includes the revision of the Candidate List where the industry will find proposed new parameters, limits, issues of concern to wastewater quality that may be considered for the next update to the WW Guidelines to work on innovations and be prepared to face these new upcoming challenges.

By having a set procedure it ensures that a timely dependable cycle of review is carried out, ensuring an efficient use of ZDHC resources.

The standard for wastewater and sludge testing

Large amounts of freshwater are often used to manufacture and process apparel, textile and footwear products. At the end of the production line, wastewater gets released. If that's not properly treated, it poses a threat to the environment and human health. 

Making wastewater cleaner has generally been a big task for every brand and supplier involved. ZDHC encourages the industry to take a collaborative approach in tackling challenges, as part of a joint ambition to improve the quality of discharged wastewater and sludge.  

Together with leading brands, suppliers, academia, testing laboratories, technology providers, and other stakeholders, we created comprehensive, unified ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. These Guidelines provide a harmonised set of wastewater and sludge parameters, limit values and test methods. They help brands and suppliers work to the same set of expectations. 

These are the first guidelines to define pass and fail criteria for hazardous chemicals covered in the ZDHC MRSL. The standards in these guidelines cover conventional wastewater parameters while also going beyond regulatory compliance.

For suppliers wishing to share the outcome of testing with multiple brands, the ZDHC Gateway – Wastewater Module makes that entire process easier. The Gateway is a global web-based platform for sharing verified data on wastewater and sludge testing.

Download the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines Version 1.1

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These Guidelines were created to expand the scope to include the leather industry, and are an addition to the current ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines Version 1.1. They were developed in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders from the leather industry including manufacturers, brands, chemical suppliers and laboratories. 

These ZDHC Leather Wastewater Guidelines must be read in conjunction with ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines Version 1.1 and the instructions given in sections 9.0-16.0 must be followed. Sections 9.0-16.0 apply to textiles and leather, and describe the requirements for sampling, testing and reporting into the ZDHC Gateway, as well as conformance to the Guidelines. The ZDHC Leather Wastewater Guidelines are a list of conventional and Manufacturing Restricted Substances List parameters, and their limits specific to wastewater discharged from leather manufacturing processes.

An important element of the value chain

Fibres are an important part of the value chain. Therefore it’s a logical next step for ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme to include fibre production processes and their raw materials. In 2018, the scope of the Programme extended to include the production of Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCF). This is the first fibre production area included in the Programme. More materials will be added in the future.

Global viscose production is growing fast, which is why the initial focus is on Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCF; including viscose, modal and lyocell). MMCFs are produced from natural feedstock like wood or plants, using hazardous chemicals. Within the production process of viscose and modal, particularly where that’s not an integrated (closed loop) process, chemicals react with the cellulose. This creates by-products, which can be released into the air, water and soil, so we’ve been working to tackle the issue.

An 2018 industry expert report commissioned by ZDHC concluded that restricting chemicals via the ZDHC MRSL approach would not work. The restrictions would halt most MMCF production processes. We would achieve most impact by collaboratively setting guidance around good chemical management and limits for wastewater, sludge, and air emissions during fibre production. At the same time ZDHC can continue researching MMCF production processes using less hazardous chemicals.

In March 2018, ZDHC hosted the first multi-stakeholder MMCF roundtable with representatives from approximately 80% of the global MMCF production. Several ZDHC Signatory Brands attended, including C&A, Coop Switzerland, Esprit, Inditex, H&M, M&S, Primark, PVH Corp and F&F, as well as Value Chain Affiliates Lenzing Group, BIRLA CELLULOSE, Sateri, Canopy, Textile Exchange, Bluesign and the China Chemical Fibers Association (CCFA), the Collaboration for Sustainable Development of Viscose (CV) and the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. 

The roundtable agreed that ZDHC should lead a collaboration to develop a framework of guidelines for wastewater, sludge, waste and air emissions specific to MMCF production, and expectations for process by-product recovery rates. The guidelines will, for now, focus on MMCF production. Dissolving pulp production processes will be considered at a later stage.


ZDHC Air Emissions Position Paper

ZDHC broadens its scope of work to address the management of air emissions within the textile, apparel, leather and footwear industry, in recognition of the impact that air emissions of hazardous chemicals may have in communities and the environment. 

The ZDHC Air Emissions Position Paper is the result of the collaborative effort that included representatives from relevant stakeholder groups with the aim to minimise air pollution across the textile, apparel, leather and footwear value chain.

What is the focus of the Air Emissions Position Paper?

This Paper focuses on two types of air emissions, those air emissions generated in a facility related to its operations (combustions or other air emissions sources) and process operations air emissions (related to production process, production line equipment and manufacturing processes), sharing aligned expectations and highlighting areas of opportunity.  The aim of this paper is to build up the needed understanding of air emissions management and best practices, and it should be implemented by brands and facilities to understand the gaps with current air emissions control and tracking efforts to prepare for the transition of this document to the ZDHC Air Emissions Guidelines. No new air testing is described in the paper beyond those legally required.


What is the timeline for actions to be taken?

2021 - There is no immediate action needed for Suppliers but to stay informed on the developments of the air emissions project and take the opportunity to self-assess operations against the expectations outlined in the Paper. During this year ZDHC will work on developing a streamlined reporting mechanism, monitoring requirements, and testing that will allow this paper to transition into the ZDHC Air Emissions Guidelines.  

2022 - ZDHC will develop the Position Paper into a Full Guideline and publicly release it. Suppliers should continue to self-assess operations against the expectations outlined in the Paper and check that they will be ready to implement the Guidelines in 2023.

2023 - Air Emissions Guidelines implementation will begin.

Supporting data integrity on the ZDHC Gateway

These guidelines highlight the requirements for uploading data electronically onto the ZDHC Gateway. 

Data integrity on ZDHC Gateway - Wastewater Module is a cornerstone of the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme. One of the mechanisms used to achieve that is the implementation of the EDR. AllZDHC Accepted Laboratories must adhere to these guidelines.

This guideline explains the automated system Accepted Laboratories must use to submit wastewater and sludge testing data on the ZDHC Gateway - Wastewater Module. 

output

Better Outputs

Safer and cleaner - for producers, people and planet

Measuring indicators such as, wastewater, sludge and air quality validates the work that is being done with chemical inputs and processes. It helps us to determine if
the output water and air is safer.

Guidelines

ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines

Version 2.1

The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines is a living document which sets a single, globally unified expectation across the textile, leather and footwear industry supply chain for industrial wastewater and sludge. They define the guidelines for wastewater discharge, sludge quality and disposal pathways. The input of key stakeholders (brands, suppliers, academia, laboratories and certification bodies) and stringent review processes from ZDHC Wastewater Council were used in their creation, adding to their credibility. 

supportive Document

ZDHC Wastewater Update Principles and Procedures

Version 1.0

The ZDHC Wastewater Update Principles and Procedures document aims to foster harmonisation and transparency in the revision process of the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. It is a valuable tool for stakeholders within the textile and footwear industry to understand their roles within the update process. With this essential resource, ZDHC reinforces its commitment of driving their Committed Community in the elimination of hazardous chemicals from the textile and footwear value chain and promoting responsible wastewater management.

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supportive Document

ZDHC Sludge Reference Document

Version 1.0

ZDHC released its first Sludge Reference Document which gives a detailed approach to ZDHC Disposal Pathways. This document is arranged according to the sludge generation, handling, and disposal pathway. It provides transparency and traceability for sludge, from generation to final disposal.

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supportive Document

ZDHC Fibre Fragmentation in Wastewater — Suppliers

Version 1.0

The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) and ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme (ZDHC) have joined forces to release a snapshot guidance that sets out to help tackle microfibre loss in the textile industry.
Microfibres, tiny particles which are lost during the textile lifecycle, have been identified as an environmental threat. Microfibres can be of cellulosic, man-made cellulosic or synthetic origin. TMC and ZDHC have co-developed guidance aimed at empowering supply chains, brands, and retailers to take effective measures against all microfibre pollution.

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supportive Document

ZDHC Fibre Fragmentation in Wastewater — Brands & Retailers

Version 1.0

The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) and ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme (ZDHC) have joined forces to release a snapshot guidance that sets out to help tackle microfibre loss in the textile industry.

Microfibres, tiny particles which are lost during the textile lifecycle, have been identified as an environmental threat. Microfibres can be of cellulosic, man-made cellulosic or synthetic origin. TMC and ZDHC have co-developed guidance aimed at empowering supply chains, brands, and retailers to take effective measures against all microfibre pollution.

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supportive Document

ZDHC Wastewater and Sludge Sampling and Analysis Plan  

(SAP) Version 2.1

This document is a key support for implementing the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. It provides ZDHC Approved Laboratories with a set of requirements to guide them as they sample and test to determine the concentration of parameters in wastewater and sludge. This SAP will help ensure the integrity and comparability of wastewater and sludge test data. 

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supportive Document

ZDHC Gateway Electronic Data Reporting System Guidelines

(EDR)  Version 3.0

The EDR gives directives to ZDHC Approved Laboratories on submitting test data to the ZDHC Gateway - Wastewater Module. It explains the standardised way in which data should be submitted to the Gateway platform. By showing these laboratories what data we expect them to upload, it increases the consistency and comparability of test data on the platform.

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Supporting Document

ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines Industry Standard Implementation Approach

Version 1.0

Collaboration is a key success factor when implementing the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines Industry Standard Implementation Approach V1.0 details how the industry stakeholders should implement the updated ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines V2.1 across their value chains. By implementing in a collaborative, connected way, these stakeholders can reduce the impact of the implementation efforts. This document provides a standard approach to help achieve this.

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Laboratories

Approved Laboratories

Laboratories must meet ZDHC’s minimum approval criteria. This is crucial to sample and analyse based on the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines, and to submit test data to the ZDHC Gateway - Wastewater Module. For consistent data quality, insight is needed on the personnel, equipment and processes being used. With that in mind, the
ZDHC Approved Wastewater Laboratory Programme was created.

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Already more than 87 laboratories in 23 locations
technologies

Wastewater Treatment Technologies

This document, which is purely informational, was gifted to ZDHC in 2018. It provides helpful knowledge for decision-makers and managers at wet processing facilities. The document's main purpose is to provide a technical overview of wastewater treatment processes. Wastewater treatment is a complex process and treatment solutions may vary from plant-to-plant. Therefore additional (bespoke) guidance, and resources such as regional training programs are needed. 

Guidelines

Wastewater Treatment System Operator Minimum Qualifications Guidelines  

The ZDHC Wastewater System Operator Minimum Qualifications Guidelines standardise the minimum qualifications for education, training and experience required of operators and technicians operating wastewater treatment systems at all manufacturing facilities and other facilities operating effluent treatment plants (ETP). The Guidelines help facilities to identify skill gaps and prepare for focused training solutions.

Guidelines

ZDHC Leather Wastewater Guidelines Addendum

These Guidelines set a single unified expectation for sampling, testing and reporting of industrial wastewater and sludge resulting from leather processing. These Guidelines must be read in conjunction with the current ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines Version 1.1 and the instructions given in Sections 9.0-16.0 must be followed.

ZDHC Guideline

ZDHC Man-Made Cellulosic Fibre (MMCF) Guidelines 

This document addresses integrated expectations for discharged wastewater quality, emissions to air, and chemical recovery for manufacturing facilities producing Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres (MMCF). It expands the scope of the guidelines beyond Viscose and Modal Staple Fibres to include other Man-Made Cellulosic Fibres such as Lyocell, Viscose Filament Yarn, Cupro and Acetate. The creation of this document was made possible through a collaborative effort between ZDHC and our stakeholders from across the industry, including MMCF manufacturing facilities, brands, service providers and other subject matter experts.

Supporting document

ZDHC MMCF Guidelines Industry Standard Implementation Approach

This support document underlines the steps and actions necessary to implement the ZDHC MMCF Guidelines and support the involved stakeholders during the implementation.

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Air Emissions

ZDHC Air Emissions Position Paper

The ZDHC Air Emissions Position Paper promotes the management of air emissions and sharing best practices with the aim to minimise air pollution across the textile, apparel, leather and footwear value chain.

disclosure

DETOX.Live

This platform integrates the global facility monitoring of wastewater testing completed in accordance with ZDHC’s Wastewater Guidelines, with the performance evaluation of how facilities are managing their sustainable process chemistry.

Gateway

Wastewater Module

Test wastewater once - share results simultaneously

The ZDHC Gateway - Wastewater Module saves time and supports transparency throughout the value chain. Manufacturing facilities can test wastewater once and share the results simultaneously with all clients. Suppliers are assessed against uniform standards like the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines or the ZDHC MMCF Wastewater Guidelines. They can show their performance and take corrective action if needed.

Brands also benefit. They can see test results from multiple suppliers - on one single platform. There are exciting future possibilities too, like the potential to link to other business analytics platforms for fuller performance analyses.