Frank Michel, CEO, ZDHC
2025 gave ZDHC a chance to pause, take stock and refocus with intention. It helped us sharpen what truly works in the Roadmap to Zero Programme, and where we need to lean in even further. The year’s developments showed just how far we’ve come and reminded us of the complexity of the journey we’re on together.
Across the industry, legal requirements stepped decisively into the spotlight. Thousands of companies completed their first CSRD-aligned reporting cycles, and CSDDD shifted from planning mode into real implementation.
For ZDHC, this wasn’t just a shift in the landscape; it was a call to innovate how we measure progress and demonstrate impact for our community.
That’s why we refreshed the ZDHC Impact Report into four clear pillars: Activity-based Impact, Transformation Impact, Nature Impact, and Societal & Health Impact.
Until now, our reporting has focused on what we can measure directly through our tools: InCheck reports, ClearStream data, and MRSL conformance. These indicators remain core to our mission, but we know they’re only part of the bigger picture.
To widen that lens, we commissioned the Protecting Supply Chains and Natural Capital study with Quantis. The results helped sharpen our understanding of both our progress and the gaps that remain. They encouraged us to move beyond tracking implementation alone and focus even more on real-world impact.
Two gaps in particular stood out: human toxicity and biodiversity loss. These issues are central to sustainability, yet remain outside current reporting scopes, not just for ZDHC but across the industry.
At the same time, we saw something new: financial and investor analysts began scrutinising chemical management, emissions disclosure, and supply-chain transparency with the same seriousness they once reserved for economic metrics. The message is unmistakable: market access, investment potential, and long-term competitiveness now depend on sustainability performance and circularity.
Throughout the year, we kept expanding and strengthening our digital ecosystem.
2025 was also a milestone year: a full decade of the ZDHC Foundation. What began as a focused effort has become a global movement, uniting suppliers, brands, chemical formulators, machine manufacturers and many others around one shared mission.
This anniversary reminded us of something simple but powerful: meaningful progress comes from science-based work, collaboration, and long-term commitment. It reinforced our belief that better chemistry leads to healthier ecosystems and better outcomes for people and the planet.
To prepare for our next chapter, we strengthened our organisational governance with a renewed leadership structure, ensuring we can support our growing global community even more effectively.
Despite the progress, major data gaps still challenge global supply chains, especially in regions and supplier tiers where visibility remains limited. Expanding participation and improving data quality will be essential if we want to accelerate momentum and deepen impact.
In 2026, we will launch Supplier to Zero V2, offering clearer pathways and more targeted guidance to help suppliers strengthen their chemical management systems.
Looking back, the pace of change in 2025 was unmistakable. Expectations are rising fast, and the urgency for safer, smarter chemistry continues to grow. But our community is strong, our tools are evolving, and ZDHC is well equipped for the work ahead.
Together, we’re building a future where better chemistry powers a healthier planet for everyone.
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