Switzerland's OEKO-TEX & ZDHC collaborate for sustainability

The goal is to create a cohesive approach to sustainable chemical and product management across global value chains. Although OEKO-TEX has been collaborating with ZDHC for over five years, this formal agreement will augment the benefits of both organisations to brands and their suppliers. 

OEKO-TEX Eco Passport is an established certification approved for certifying conformance against the ZDHC MRSL V3.1. The certification is available from all OEKO-TEX Eco Passport laboratories. In order to display the certificates, chemical formulators need to register the products to the ZDHC Gateway. The collaboration will continue to smooth-out alignment with the upcoming ZDHC Chemicals to Zero Programme and deepen the knowledge transfer between technical groups across both organisations.

Both parties agree to pursue a path where OEKO-TEX will promote ZDHC products and platforms (e.g. the Gateway, InCheck, ClearStream) to minimise duplication and promote harmonisation in the industry. 

OEKO-TEX STeP customers will get easy access to the ZDHC Gateway and the ZDHC Supplier to Zero Programme, which will increase their readiness for the OEKO-TEX STeP certification. Wastewater testing for OEKO-TEX STeP directly translates into a ZDHC ClearStream, simplifying customer requirements. The roll-out is planned for late summer 2023. STeP customers already benefit from the OEKO-TEX x The BHive’s partnership. It enables customers to digitalise their chemical inventories. Through The BHive customers can conduct ZDHC Performance InCheck and conformance checks against the ZDHC Gateway, the largest database of chemical products certified against the ZDHC MRSL.

ZDHC and OEKO-TEX will establish data sharing processes that will stand to benefit customers (e.g. in the Eco Passport process and through listing on the ZDHC Gateway). This collaboration will strengthen data quality, making performance and impact evaluation increasingly more credible. The respective roll-out timeline is to be determined in the upcoming months.

“I am pleased to announce the collaboration between ZDHC Foundation and OEKO-TEX. This partnership brings together our expertise to drive sustainability in the textile industry. Together, we aim to accelerate sustainable chemical management, responsible production, and safer materials. This collaboration marks a significant step towards a sustainable future for the industry,” Frank Michel, executive director of ZDHC Foundation, said.

“We believe that the benefits of collaboration will drive transformational change and meet the true requirements of the industry. This collaboration will enhance both the ZDHC and the OEKO-TEX system and programmes. Since ZDHC and OEKO-TEX are aiming to positively impact products, the environment and people, a well-structured collaboration will include joint recognition of each other’s programmes. The objective of the partnership between ZDHC and OEKO-TEX is to share learning and experience, driving sustainability by eliminating harmful chemicals throughout the supply chain and lowering the apparel, footwear, and textile industry’s impact,” Georg Dieners, OEKO-TEX, general secretary, said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)