ZDHC Publishes Commodity Chemicals Guide For Textile And Leather Manufacturers
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative has released a new Commodity Chemicals Guide aimed at supporting textile and leather manufacturers in the responsible procurement of commodity chemicals. The primary objective of this guide is to encourage manufacturers to evaluate their chemical vendors not only on the basis of price and quality but also in terms of compliance with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) risks associated with these chemicals. This approach is intended to enhance the robustness of input chemical management systems within the industry.
Commodity chemicals often pose MRSL risks due to unintentional contamination, and testing these chemicals for MRSLs does not always yield conclusive results. The new guide provides manufacturers with the tools and knowledge to address these risks effectively.
In addition to aiding manufacturers, the guide offers significant benefits for suppliers. It outlines specific storage and handling precautions to prevent accidents, particularly those arising from chemical incompatibility, which can lead to severe consequences such as loss of life and reduced productivity.
A notable feature of the guide is the inclusion of a smart screening grid designed for MRSL root cause analysis. This grid helps in the quick resolution of wastewater non-conformities, recognizing that commodity chemicals are often washed out into wastewater. By identifying and addressing the root causes of these non-conformities, manufacturers can maintain compliance more efficiently.
The guide also provides a clear definition of commodity chemicals and includes a working list of these chemicals that should be closely monitored.
ZDHC hopes that the publication of this guide will lead to widespread implementation of these recommended practices, ultimately contributing to safer and more sustainable manufacturing processes in the textile and leather industries.
