ZDHC releases updated version of wastewater guidelines

The main changes in Version 1.1 include: the requirements for suppliers with an on-site Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) treatment system; reporting limits and test methods for sludge parameters; an expansion of the standard methods for analysing conventional parameters. This will allow suppliers to use legal compliance testing data or results for ZDHC reporting requirements, following certain conditions and exceptions, said ZDHC in a press release.

No changes were made to the wastewater parameters and limit values, but more description and guidance were provided, also the readability of the document as a whole was improved and re-formatted to enable a better overview especially for brands, suppliers and laboratories. Further, Version 1.1 includes guidance on expected laboratory reporting limits for sludge analysis.

“While the adoption of the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines in the textile, apparel and footwear industry continues to increase, our goal has always been implementation and action to create impact rather than simple adoption,” said Scott Echols, programme director at ZDHC. “Version 1.1 of the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines is being released to make implementation easier by clarifying some of the instructions, in particular, those related to sampling and analysis. The update is based on comments and learnings gathered since the release of Version 1.0 in November 2016. We’d like to thank all those who worked on this update and helped to improve the usability of these guidelines.”

The water and sludge limits are currently reviewed and where needed will be updated in Version 2.0 of the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines. (PC)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India