Lydia Lin, Chief Implementation Officer, ZDHC
Ten years ago, we began with a bold vision: to transform the global textile, leather, footwear and apparel industries by driving safer chemical management and more sustainable practices. The journey was not simple, and the scale of the challenge was immense. But through collaboration, persistence and shared commitment, we’ve demonstrated what can be achieved when industry comes together for a common purpose.
From the start, our mission has been clear: reduce the use of hazardous chemicals, safeguard workers, protect the environment, and enable brands and suppliers alike to thrive in a cleaner, safer future. Today, as I look back, I see not only progress in technical frameworks and tools, but also in building a culture of global engagement that has fundamentally shifted the industry’s expectations.
Our progress has been made possible by the collective strength of our community. In the past decade, ZDHC has grown into a truly global network: brands, suppliers, chemical formulators, solution providers, machine manufacturers working side by side. What began as a coalition of a few forward-thinking companies has now expanded to represent a critical mass of the industry.
The ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme has become the backbone of our engagement. Through regional implementation, conferences, supplier training, webinars and face to face engagement we have created a common language for safer chemical use. Importantly, we have ensured that this knowledge is not confined to a small group of leaders but is accessible to stakeholders across geographies.
Impact is best told through the stories of change:
By embedding chemical management into procurement and compliance systems, ZDHC has enabled the industry to move from voluntary initiatives to measurable, scalable impact.
A lesson I carry from this decade is that partnership is the engine of change. We cannot address environmental and social challenges in silos. Every milestone — from the adoption of the ZDHC MRSL, to widespread training, to guidelines — has been achieved only because we united diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
Our collaboration has extended beyond industry. Policymakers and civil society increasingly view ZDHC as a partner in shaping global standards. This alignment ensures that our work not only supports companies but also contributes to systemic change.
As we step into the future, our focus must shift from adoption to deep implementation. The tools are in place, the frameworks are clear — now the priority is embedding sustainable practices into every level of the value chain.
We must also recognise the evolving challenges ahead: climate change, biodiversity loss and the need for just transitions in supply chains. Chemical management is a critical lever, but it must sit within a broader vision of circularity and sustainable production.
The next decade will demand even greater inclusivity. We need to reach deeper into supplier tiers, engage with experts and ensure that sustainability is not just a mandate from the top but a practice embedded at the ground level.
As I reflect on these ten years, I feel both humbled and energised. Humbled by the dedication of our partners — from factory managers to global CEOs — who have embraced this journey. Energised because the past decade has shown us what is possible when we work together.
ZDHC’s story is not just about chemical management. It is about building trust, driving systemic change, and proving that collaboration can accelerate sustainability at scale.
Here’s to the next decade of engagement and impact — together, we can raise the bar even higher.
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