The second Impact Report from ZDHC, a Dutch multi-stakeholder project for the fashion industry, has been issued, documenting the implementation progress and recent changes within ZDHC and the industry at large, as well as the road ahead. The study also encourages supply chain partners to work together and commit to safer chemistry.

“The 2020 assessment confirms around 80% of brands have specified their implementation plans leveraging ZDHC tools, and the majority set key performance indicators (KPIs) for their procurement-related teams,” the report said, sharing the progress of the 3 ZDHC Leader Programs: Supplier to Zero, Brands to Zero, and the upcoming leader program for chemical suppliers. Furthermore, THEY discovered that their Brands' commitment to safer chemistry is ingrained in their corporate cultures and that they actively track targets and outcomes.

Since the launch of Supplier to Zero, companies have been paying closer attention to how ZDHC rules are being implemented throughout their supply chain — 70% of brands demand their suppliers to follow the Wastewater Guidelines. Additionally, ZDHC contributors across the supply chain are increasingly using the ZDHC Gateway and its tools.

According to the report, their third leader program, which will start by the end of 2021, is aimed especially at chemical suppliers. The initiative will allow manufacturers and brands to evaluate chemical formulations holistically for sustainability features, allowing them to make educated decisions that lead to the use of more sustainable chemistries.

The growing awareness of environmental sustainability among the global community of brands, customers, and policymakers, as well as progress in the regulatory environment for chemical sustainability, such as the new EU legislation on due diligence and supply chain governance, have been welcomed by ZDHC.

The organization has also reported on its evolution into a multi-stakeholder organization, bringing together businesses, civil society, governments, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations to collaborate on the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Program's joint engagement and implementation efforts.

Across all key stakeholder categories, including brands, suppliers, and chemical suppliers, ZDHC has seen increasing involvement and a continued increase in the number of dedicated organizations joining the ZDHC community.

The organization said, despite their success, their guiding slogan at ZDHC remains ‘their task is far from done.