The International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology OEKO-TEX® and ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) have united their efforts to improve the environmental impact of the industry. Both organizations play a crucial role in monitoring and certifying the safety of products and their production processes, ensuring they meet health and environmental standards.
Building upon their existing collaboration, the two groups have formalized a renewed agreement aimed at advancing sustainable chemical management and promoting cleaner chemistry principles. This partnership recognizes the needs of chemical formulators, manufacturers, suppliers, brands, and retailers while emphasizing sustainable practices.
The updated agreement marks a significant milestone, as it strengthens the collaboration between ZDHC and OEKO-TEX® for the next five years. By adopting a cohesive approach to sustainable chemical and product management across global supply chains, this alliance offers numerous benefits to brands and their suppliers. Together, they strive to optimize industry guidelines, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future for the textile and leahther sectors.
ZDHC and OEKO-TEX® Unite for Industry Transformation
The collaboration between ZDHC Foundation and OEKO-TEX® is a significant leap towards a sustainable future for the textile industry, as emphasized by Frank Michel, the executive director of ZDHC Foundation. By combining their expertise, the two organizations are dedicated to driving sustainability, fostering responsible production, and promoting safer materials in the industry.
The updated agreement is a comprehensive framework for the collaborative work between ZDHC and OEKO-TEX®. One notable inclusion is the OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT, which certifies conformity against the ZDHC MRSL V3.1. Chemical formulators can obtain the eco passport from any Oeko-Tex eco-passport lab. However, to display the certificate, they must register their products with the ZDHC gateway, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Moreover, the agreement establishes a streamlined alignment with the upcoming ZDHC Chemicals to Zero Program, enabling a smooth transition towards zero hazardous chemicals. The collaboration also fosters extensive knowledge sharing between technical groups from both organizations, maximizing their collective expertise.
In an effort to minimize redundancy and promote industry harmony, Oeko-Tex will actively endorse ZDHC products and platforms such as Gateway, ClearStream, and InCheck. This strategic approach reduces duplication of efforts and encourages a unified front toward sustainability.
Through this partnership, ZDHC and Oeko-Tex aim to catalyze the adoption of sustainable chemical management practices, responsible production methods, and harmonious collaboration within the industry. They aspire to lead the textile industry towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future by working together.
Streamlined Certification and Data Sharing
As part of the new agreement, customers utilizing Oeko-Tex STeP, a health and safety certification program, will now have access to the ZDHC Gateway and the ZDHC Supplier to Zero Program. This integration aims to better prepare them for STeP by OEKO-TEX® certification. Notably, starting from late summer 2023, customer requirements will be simplified, as wastewater testing for Oeko-Tex STeP will directly align with ZDHC ClearStream criteria.
One of the key aspects of this collaboration is the sharing of data between the two organizations. This collaborative data-sharing approach will improve data quality and enhance the credibility of impact evaluations. While the specific roll-out schedule is yet to be determined, this data exchange will undoubtedly strengthen the industry's understanding of sustainable practices.
Step customers already enjoy the benefits of the partnership between Oeko-Tex and The BHive, which allows them to digitize their chemical inventories. Through The BHive platform, customers can conduct ZDHC Performance InCheck and perform conformity checks against the ZDHC Gateway. This gateway stands as the largest database of chemical products certified against the ZDHC MRSL.
Georg Dieners, the general secretary of Oeko-Tex, emphasizes the mutual benefits of this collaboration, stating that joining forces in this manner will drive transformational change and meet the genuine requirements of the industry. By leveraging each organization's strengths and resources, the partnership between Oeko-Tex and ZDHC aims to empower customers, facilitate sustainable practices, and ultimately lead the industry towards a more responsible and environmentally friendly future.