The assessment framework that turns chemical management into measurable progress. Supplier to Zero gives apparel, textile, leather and footwear suppliers one credible way to assess where they stand, improve their practices, and show brands the proof.
Supplier Platform coming week commencing 3 Aug 2026
It works across three levels of confidence, so the type of assessment can match the supplier's needs and the trust their customers require.
Confidence
Supplier to Zero assesses how suppliers manage chemicals across their operations, from input (purchasing and traceability of chemicals and input materials), to process (use, storage, inventory) to output (wastewater and emissions), including how these practices extend upstream in the supply chain.
What it evaluates:
How chemicals and input materials are tracked, managed and controlled
How consistently processes are implemented
How all output streams are managed
How requirements are cascaded and managed upstream
What it enables:
How requirements are cascaded and managed upstreamMoves from checking compliance to understanding performance, allowing progress to be measured over time and across suppliers and their supply chains.
In Supplier to Zero V1 the various levels represented confidence in the assessment.This has changed for Version 2. The three levels now only represent supplier performance. The achievement of each V2 level depends on how well the supplier implements sustainable chemical management in their facility.
best practice
Demonstrates industry-leading implementation of sustainable chemical management practices and a strong commitment to continuous improvement and environmental performance.
Advanced implementation: Demonstrates that the facility has implemented more mature and systematic chemical management practices, with evidence of effective management and continual improvement.
Foundational implementation: Demonstrates that the facility has established the fundamental chemical management systems and practices required to support responsible chemical management.
Suppliers who manufacture apparel, textiles, footwear and leather are required to complete the Supplier to Zero assessment.
Out of scope
Sources of natural and synthetic fibre inputs.
Out of scope
Facilities that manufacture fibres for the fashion industry.
In scope
Facilities that manufacture fashion materials and finished products.
Supplier to Zero helps suppliers understand their current status, identify improvements, and demonstrate progress.It enables suppliers to confidently show brands their advancement in sustainable chemical management and implementation of ZDHC Roadmap to Zero requirements, creating a competitive advantage.
Beyond improving their own performance, suppliers are encouraged to drive progress across their upstream supply chain, using Supplier to Zero to track and demonstrate continuous improvement.
Monitor supplier progress. Drive improvement.
Supplier to Zero V1 is still available on the previous Supplier Platform until the end of the six-month transition period, ending in January 2027.
Access it here →
Supplier to Zero provides brands with a harmonised framework for understanding and recognising supplier implementation of sustainable chemical management. By aligning expectations around a common industry framework, brands help create greater consistency across global supply chains.
Supplier to Zero enables brands to benchmark supplier implementation using a common methodology while supporting continuous improvement across the industry.
Promote harmonised supplier performance
ZDHC Approved Supplier to Zero Reviewers conduct the assessments, helping suppliers verify their performance against ZDHC requirements and demonstrate progress through defined levels of achievement.
As ZDHC Approved Supplier to Zero Reveiwers, they provide independent, credible evaluations that support transparency, consistency, and trusted reporting across the industry.
Monitor supplier progress. Drive improvement.
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