ZDHC shares its tools openly, but public use of ZDHC intellectual property (IP) and ZDHC‑related claims must be accurate, fair and capable of substantiation. To meet its legal and governance obligations, ZDHC must limit Roadmap to Zero‑related alignment public claims only to legitimate and active Roadmap to Zero participants.
Prevent unauthorised organisations from implying ZDHC participation or verified progress when they do not meet the requirements, which undermines stakeholder trust.
The Roadmap to Zero is free to trial, but public claims require commitment. Licensing ensures organisations contributing to ZDHC's mission can rightfully benefit from association.
Licence fees support the governance, infrastructure and continuous improvement of ZDHC frameworks, ensuring long-term programme quality.
The public registry helps suppliers, regulators and consumers identify organisations with legitimate ZDHC credentials.
Participation:
Fully participating brands, active in governance and undergoing Brands to Zero assessment.
What they can say:
Verified, progress-based claims on supply chain performance, evaluated by KPMG & BtZ.
Data backing:
Gateway data and access to add-ons + external evaluation and assurance.
Participation:
Actively engaged in RtZ programme and connected to their supply chain.
What they can say:
Data-informed statements about engagement, policies and status of suppliers active in Gateway.
Data backing:
Gateway access to view and use their supplier data; no verified performance assessment.
Solution Providers who deliver ZDHC-approved verification, testing and implementation services.
The shared data foundation enabling credible participation, transparency, and verified claims across the programme.
Licensed service providers:
Organisations and individuals who use ZDHC terminology in (commercial) consultancy and training materials.
Licensed brands:
Brands that are not part of RtZ, but formally licences to reference ZDHC. Policy and alignment statements only. No Gateway access; no performance or quantitative claims.
Note:
A licence model will also be available to (non-approved) service providers.
References to ZDHC made outside the licensed ecosystem are not authorised and may be subject to legal action.
This framework standardises how organisations reference ZDHC and Roadmap to Zero.
Organisations register their interest, select their business type (brand or service provider), and choose the relevant licensing tier. This formalises the relationship and the scope of permitted claims.
Licensed organisations appear in a public ZDHC registry — a searchable directory where anyone (regulators, investors, partners, clients) can verify an organisation's license to make ZDHC-related claims.
ZDHC actively monitors and enforces against unsubstantiated or unauthorised use of its IP. Organisations making claims without a licence risk legal action.
Only a ZDHC Reference Claims Licence can enable organisations to communicate their use of ZDHC frameworks for policies, expectations and disclosures. Signatory status or service provider approval do not automatically confer this right. Moreover, implying or asserting performance outcomes can only be done with a "Data-backed Claims Licence", to be launched in autumn 2026.
Your Reference Licence grants you the right to:
Use ZDHC terminology in policies, supplier requirements, and sustainability reporting
Reference ZDHC frameworks (MRSL, Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines) in your chemical management programme
Communicate your organisation's alignment with the Roadmap to Zero methodology
Be listed in the public registry of licensed organisations
Important distinction
Reference claims describe how you use ZDHC requirements (e.g., "Our `RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL"). Performance claims describe results (e.g., "X% of our suppliers meet ZDHC MRSL"). Performance claims require a separate Data-Backed Licence (coming soon).
What you can say:
Our RSL is aligned with the ZDHC MRSL.
We require suppliers to align with the ZDHC MRSL in chemical inputs.
The ZDHC Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines inform our wastewater expectations.
What you can’t say:
Our suppliers are ZDHC MRSL conformant.
X% of suppliers meet the ZDHC MRSL.
We are ZDHC-certified. (No such certification exists)
Your Reference Licence grants you the right to:
Use ZDHC terminology in your training materials, consulting services, and client communications
Reference ZDHC frameworks and guidance documents in your service offerings
Describe your expertise in helping clients implement ZDHC requirements
Be listed in the public registry of licensed service providers
Important distinction
Reference claims describe your capability to support ZDHC implementation (e.g., "We help clients align with ZDHC MRSL"). Performance claims describe client achievements (e.g., "Our clients achieve ZDHC conformance"). Client performance claims require verification and may need a Data-Backed Licence.
What you can say:
Our training content is aligned with ZDHC guidance.
We help clients align with the ZDHC MRSL and Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines.
We use ZDHC terminology for sustainable chemistry.
What you can’t say:
We are a ZDHC-certified consultant.
We deliver ZDHC programme services. (Reserved for ZDHC Approved Service Providers)
Our clients meet ZDHC requirements. (Requires verification)
For performance statements that rely on supplier data. Must be connected to Gateway data. Brands and service providers require different licences.
What this unlocks:
Based on ZDHC Gateway data, X of our tier 1 facilities have MRSL conformance data available.
Based on ZDHC Gateway data, X facilities in our supply chain have wastewater test results available.
Based on ZDHC Gateway data, X facilities have completed InCheck submissions.
What you can say:
Our platform integrates with the ZDHC Gateway to display client performance data.
We provide reporting tools that pull data from the ZDHC Gateway.
Our solution helps clients track InCheck and ClearStream submissions via Gateway data.
Contact us to learn about becoming a ZDHC Signatory, Friend Brand, or Approved Service Provider.
Reference claims
Expecting to launch in spring 2026
Data-backed add-on
Under development, expecting to launch in autumn 2026
In one minute
When is a licence required?
Public or commercial references that could imply Roadmap to Zero participation or supplier performance need a licence or programme pathway.
What this is not
This is not certification, not verification. It does not restrict access to the MRS or Wastewater Guidelines.
What about Gateway data?
Data-backed claims using ZDHC data should be connected to Gateway data with the right permissions. This data add- on is currently under development.
What about programme participation?
Programme participation statements (Friend, Signatory, ASP) are not part of the reference licence and are reserved for Roadmap to Zero programme participants.
About the framework
What is the ZDHC Referencing and Statements Framework?
It is a clear set of rules for how organisations can use ZDHC terminology publicly. It distinguishes licensed claims (Reference claims, Data-backed claims) from programme participation claims, so references stay accurate and do not imply Roadmap to Zero participation or assurance where none exists.
Why is ZDHC introducing this now?
ZDHC terminology is increasingly used in public and commercial contexts. Referencing ZDHC is not the issue. The issue is when references imply Roadmap to Zero programme implementation or supplier performance without a formal pathway, governance, or transparency. This framework protects clarity, credibility, and fairness for the ZDHC community.
Why does this framework exist?
This framework also responds to a broader regulatory shift in how sustainability claims are scrutinised. ESMA's thematic notes on sustainability-related claims call on organisations to ensure statements are clear, substantiated, consistent, and not misleading. The ZDHC IP Licensing framework is designed with these same expectations in mind: it creates a governed pathway for making ZDHC-related claims responsibly, so that references reflect genuine engagement rather than implied credentials.
ZDHC is often used as a credibility shortcut. When wording implies outcomes or programme participation without governance, it creates greenwashing risk by association and undermines the value of formal participation. This framework prevents misuse, ensures fairness with same rules for all, and enables consistent terminology to prevent misleading statements.
Does this restrict access to the MRS or the Wastewater Guidelines?
No. ZDHC documents remain publicly available. The framework governs how ZDHC terminology is used in public or commercial communications, not access to the documents themselves.
Who needs a licence?
You likely need a licence if you use ZDHC terminology in external or commercial contexts such as sustainability reports, disclosures, marketing, proposals, training materials, dashboards, or tools. ZDHC provides different licence routes for brands and for service providers.
Statement types
What is the difference between licensed claims and programme participation claims?
Licensed claims cover how ZDHC can be referenced publicly under a licence. Programme participation claims are reserved for organisations participating in the Roadmap to Zero programme (for example Friend Brands, Signatory Brands, or Approved Solution Providers) and may include formal participation language.
What are the licensed claim types?
Licensed claims include: Reference claims (referencing ZDHC as informing internal policy or approach) and Data- backed claims (reporting outcomes or progress, when the basis and scope are clearly disclosed and connected to Gateway data).
What is a programme participation claim?
A programme participation claim uses language that signals formal participation in the Roadmap to Zero programme or delivery of ZDHC tools under approval, for example signatory participation or Approved Solution Provider status. These are not available under a reference licence.
For brands
I am a brand. What can l say if l am not a signatory?
Non-signatory brands with a reference licence can make reference claims. They cannot make programme participation claims. Data-backed claims will be available through the data add-on once it launches.
What if a brand wants to make quantitative statements about supplier performance?
If a brand wants to communicate supplier performance using ZDHC tools or pathways, the intended route is participation in the Roadmap to Zero programme (for example as a signatory). ZDHC is also developing a data add-on where performance reporting could be supported through Gateway-based data, subject to supplier consent.
What is the difference between a Reference Brand, Friend Brand, and Signatory Brand?
Reference Brand: not a signatory, references ZDHC under a licence for reference claims. Friend Brand: engages with the community as a stepping stone to signatory and signals intent to move towards deeper participation. Signatory Brand: formally participates in the Roadmap to Zero programme and can use programme participation claims under ZDHC rules.
For service providers
l am a consultant, trainer, or non-data provider. Do I need a licence?
If you use ZDHC terminology in commercial services, training, audits, proposals, or client deliverables, you will typically need a service provider reference licence. This allows reference claims with clear disclaimers, but does not allow data- backed claims or programme participation claims.
I am atechnology or data provider. What is the data add-on?
ZDHC is developing a data add-on for technology and data providers that want to integrate Gateway data into tools and reporting. This would support data-backed claims only when they are based on Gateway data, with supplier consent and clear disclosure of scope and coverage. It does not grant programme participation claim rights.
How is this different from becoming an Approved Solution Provider?
The data add-on is about responsible integration of Gateway data into tools and reporting. Approved Solution Provider status is for organisations delivering specific Roadmap to Zero programme services under ZDHC approval, such as InCheck, ClearStream, ChemCheck, Supplier to Zero and assessment modules, within a defined scope.
Verification and disclaimers
Will ZDHC verify or endorse statements made under a licence?
No. The licence does not certify, verify, or endorse performance. It clarifies how ZDHC terminology can be used publicly and requires disclaimers so references are not misleading.
What disclaimer do we need to use?
All licensed references must include ZDHC's required non-endorsement disclaimer language. Where space is limited, a short form may be used with a link to the full disclaimer.
What happens if someone uses ZDHC terminology in a misleading way?
ZDHC may request corrections. If use remains misleading, ZDHC can suspend or terminate the licence and require removal or correction of references. In cases of serious misuse, ZDHC may take steps to protect its intellectual property and reputation.
Fees and registration
How do fees work?
Reference licences are subject to an annual fee. For brands, the fee is tiered by global annual turnover. For service providers, the fee is a single annual amount. Fees are invoiced annually and the licence becomes active once payment is received.
Where will the fees be shown and how do we pay?
Fees are shown on the fees page and during registration. After you submit your registration, ZDHC issues an invoice. Payment activates the licence.
Will licensed organisations be listed publicly?
Yes. Licensed organisations may be listed in a public registry so stakeholders can check who is authorised to reference ZDHC under a licence. The registry may include status labels such as active, pending, suspended, or expired.
What happens when you register?
1) Choose your customer type (Brand or Service Provider), 2) Select your licence option (Reference licence or Data add- on), 3) Submit your details, 4) ZDHC reviews your application, 5) Receive an invoice for the annual fee, 6) Once paid, your licence activates and you appear in the public registry.
Contact ZDHC before publishing
Mentioning supplier performance or Roadmap to Zero participation may require a different license.
licensing@zdhc.org
The public registry of licensed organisations is currently being developed. Once live, this page will display all brands and service providers who hold a valid ZDHC Reference Licence.
