What Is ZDHC?
ZDHC, short for Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals, is an industry program that limits which chemicals factories can use to make textiles, leather and footwear. It isn't a consumer label. You'll see it in brand sustainability reports because brands, mills and chemical makers sign on and use its tools.
What ZDHC checks
- The ZDHC MRSL, a list of substances banned from intentional use in manufacturing. Version 4.0 is current.
- Chemical products against the MRSL, at levels from a supplier's own declaration to on-site assessment
- Factory wastewater, under the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines
- A shared database, the ZDHC Gateway, where chemical makers show their products conform
What ZDHC doesn’t cover
- The finished garment. The MRSL covers chemicals used in the factory, and ZDHC says restricted-substance compliance can only be checked on the finished item.
- A label you can look for. ZDHC doesn't put a mark on clothing.
- Fiber content or where the fiber came from
ZDHC questions
Why do brands mention ZDHC if there's no label?
Brands and their suppliers join as signatories and use ZDHC's lists and testing to manage factory chemistry. They report on it in sustainability reports and supplier codes.
What's the difference between an MRSL and an RSL?
An MRSL limits chemicals used during manufacturing. An RSL limits substances left in the finished product. ZDHC's MRSL is the first kind.
Does ZDHC mean my clothes are chemical-free?
No. It restricts listed hazardous substances in factory inputs and wastewater. It doesn't test or certify the garment you buy.