amfori BEPI Chemical Management in Fashion (CMF) – In collaboration with The ZDHC Foundation

A collaboration with The ZDHC Foundation 

amfori BEPI is launching the new Chemical Management in Fashion (CMF) module in collaboration with The ZDHC Foundation (ZDHC). The module aims to improve sustainable chemical management across global supply chains within the textile and footwear sectors.

The Role of Chemical Management in the Fashion Module

The CMF module provides essential support to amfori BEPI members and business partners as they address the challenges related to chemical management in their supply chains. The CMF module will replace amfori BEPI’s Chemical Management Audit (CMA), creating a direct link between the amfori Sustainability platform and the ZDHC Gateway.

The partnership between amfori BEPI and ZDHC minimises duplicated efforts for members and business partners by streamlining processes. The CMF module boosts efficiency and reduces audit fatigue, creating a smoother collaboration and increasing productivity for everyone involved. Business partners are required, by amfori members, to demonstrate effective chemical management practices by completing the CMF module.

The completion of the CMF module demonstrates their commitment to sustainable chemical practices, therefore, recognition for their efforts by both amfori and ZDHC. Through this initiative, amfori is “walking the talk” by partnering with ZDHC, demonstrating amfori’s dedication to strategic collaboration and delivering the highest value to our members, business partners and their supply chains.

The Supplier to Zero Programme by ZDHC

The CMF is based on Supplier to Zero Programme, by ZDHC. The Supplier to Zero Programme is a collaborative effort within the textile, apparel, leather and footwear sectors. The aim is to eliminate hazardous chemicals from the manufacturing process. The ZDHC Supplier to Zero Programme provides a comprehensive framework for brands, manufacturers and suppliers to systematically reduce and eventually eliminate harmful chemicals from their supply chains.

The Supplier to Zero Programme offers three different levels of engagement:

• Level 1: Business partners conduct a self-assessment using self-reported data. Level 1 provides a certification based solely on this self-assessment.

• Level 2:  Business partners conduct a self-assessment using self-reported data and a (partial) desktop review is provided.

• Level 3: Business partners will have the possibility to have an onsite review of the supplier’s implementation of the Roadmap to Zero program. This latter is not yet active, however, will be available shortly.

Upon completion of the levels, members and business partners are assigned a certificate highlighting their accomplishments.

Collaboration between ZDHC and amfori BEPI

The CMF module will enable amfori members and business partners to access the ZDHC platform, referred to as the ZDHC Gateway. To access this platform, they must create or retrieve the Open Supply ID (OS ID), which amfori calls the Site Registry ID. This ID allows members and partners to navigate both the amfori Sustainability platform and the ZDHC Gateway, enhancing integration and support for sustainable practices within the supply chain.

The ZDHC Gateway is an online platform that serves as a centralized hub for brands, manufacturers, and suppliers. It provides critical information and tools related to hazardous chemical management. The ZDHC Gateway offers two modules:

• The Chemical Module: This module helps suppliers assess chemical products to ensure they meet the conformance level requirements of the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) while also identifying safer alternatives.

• The Wastewater Module: This module allows companies to register their wastewater test data, enabling manufacturing plants to benchmark their compliance with the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines.

The Chemical Module encompasses InCheck Solutions, designed to help suppliers showcase their dedication to sustainably managing their chemical inventory and ensuring compliance with the ZDHC MRSL.  ZDHC in collaboration with amfori offers two complementary InCheck in collaboration with amfori:

• Performance InCheck: The objective of Performance InCheck is to assess the status of the chemical products in a supplier’s inventory for registration on the ZDHC Gateway- Chemical Module, as well as certifications against the ZDHC MRSL. This process also involves planning actions to increase the number of chemical products published on the ZDHC Gateway and improve their ZDHC MRSL Conformance Levels.

•  Verified InCheck – Level 1: This level involves reviewing the overall completeness and accuracy of the chemical products in a supplier’s inventory through onsite spot checks. These checks enhance confidence in the Performance InCheck Reports for the chemical products published in the ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module.

The Wastewater Module encompasses a ClearStream report which reflects on the performance of a facility concerning ZDHC wastewater conformance requirements. This report establishes a clear, globally accepted standard for wastewater reporting and improves output control, making it simpler to understand wastewater management parameters and identify areas for improvement. The ClearStream report involves:

1.  ZDHC-approved laboratories conduct tests on suppliers’ wastewater by the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines and upload the results directly to the Gateway on behalf of the suppliers.

2. After reviewing the results, suppliers can publish their findings along with the corresponding ClearStream report on the Gateway, making this information available to the brands they relate to.

3.  Brands can download the results once they are linked with the suppliers, using the data for supply chain mapping or impact reporting, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in their sourcing practices.

If you are involved in the textile and footwear industry and want to evaluate your chemical management practices, amfori highly recommends joining ZDHC and utilizing amfori BEPI’s Chemical Management Feature (CMF) to visualize this data across your supply chain.

For further insights on the Chemical Management in Fashion Module, please refer to the Chemical Management in Fashion Guide.