adidas Group, C&A, H&M, Li Ning, NIKE, Inc. and Puma today announced the release of a joint roadmap towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals (ZDHC) in the supply chain by 2020. It is an ambitious plan, one that sets a new standard of environmental performance for the global apparel and footwear industry. The roadmap includes specific commitments and timelines to realize this shared goal. These commitments include:
• Jointly communicating the mission of zero discharge of hazardous chemicals to all suppliers beginning immediately
• Conducting pilot projects at major, vertically integrated and materials suppliers between 2011 and 2013 to better understand scope of use and discharge of hazardous chemicals
• Verifying that nine classes of hazardous or persistent chemicals are not currently used
• Initiating an inventory of all chemicals used in apparel manufacturing by the end of 2012
• Disclosing the results of all pilots and studies undertaken as part of this commitment
• Reporting regularly and publicly on our progress against this commitment (quarterly in 2012, annually from 2013 to 2020)
Tackling and achieving the goal of zero discharge is a complex challenge – one that our brand collaboration cannot solve alone. Our vision is that the roadmap serves as a benchmark and that many more brands join us in our efforts. Ultimately, we want and need a broad array of participants to partner with us in this endeavor – chemical suppliers, academics, NGOs, textile experts, entrepreneurs, policy makers and others. We understand that we are setting out to change the way apparel and footwear is manufactured, globally, and are thus casting our net wide for the best ideas and solutions.