ZDHC Tool Enables Improvement of Chemical Management

ZDHC Tool Provides Textile Industry with Stepwise Approach to Improving Chemical Management

07/27/2015

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The ZDHC Programme today released a Chemical Management System (CMS) Guidance Manual for factories, brands, retailers and suppliers. This user-friendly manual, available in English and Chinese, provides guidelines for developing an in-house CMS.

The ZDHC CMS Guidance Manual creates a comprehensive and pragmatic process for managing hazardous chemicals that allows an entry point for different roles in the supply chain.

“A sound chemical management system is not only important for worker safety and to reduce environmental impacts on the community and the broader environment, but it is a cornerstone for ensuring continuous improvement and harmonisation towards the ZDHC Group’s zero discharge goal,” says Cheryl Kreindler, ZDHC Programme Manager.

The manual provides a step-by-step framework that includes the phases 1) Commitment to CMS, 2) Assessment, Planning and Prioritisation, 3) Chemicals Management, 4) Monitoring and 5) Management Review.

While focused on the approach, structure and documentation necessary to create and support a CMS, this framework also builds on ISO management standards and other applicable frameworks - such as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Practical Chemical Management Toolkit and the Outdoor Industry Association Chemicals Management Working Group Framework.

Alignment with other industry frameworks and standards is key to delivering on the ZDHC Group’s vision, mission and goal to achieve zero discharge of hazardous chemicals across supply chains and product life cycles in the production of apparel and footwear.

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