The Brands Roadmap to Zero provides brands implementing the Roadmap to Zero (RtZ) Programme with inspiration, orientation and checkpoints to successfully master sustainable chemical management and achieve goals in related impact areas. When Signatory Brands are onboarded to ZDHC, they are encouraged to review and update their strategy and plans in order to align with the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme
Brands are at various maturity stages of sustainable chemical management implementation, either investing in supply chain transparency and developing their first policies or looking for clues to fill their “last gaps”. The Brands Roadmap to Zero aims to support all brands in identifying the next steps in implementation and therefore contributes to the joint implementation of the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme.
In addition, the Brands Roadmap to Zero builds on due diligence principles and is also a reflection of the new ZDHC guidelines, platforms, and solutions introduced, as well as the business practices necessary to reflect the changing environment of sustainability guidelines, schemes, and systems (e.g., the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment & Footwear Sector or the EU BREF BAT).
The Brands Roadmap to Zero supports brands in better understanding standardised options for milestones and practical next steps, which enables consultation with the ZDHC team to be much more specific. It thereby increases the learning and improvement curve, which is needed to reach the industry’s ambitious impact goals.
Suppliers Roadmap to Zero and guidelines
The Supplier Roadmap to Zero was launched in July 2025. Before that, ZDHC published PDF guidelines and guides that were available on our RtZ website. ZDHC has now digitalised these guidelines into a cohesive framework on a user-friendly tool to support easier navigation of our programmes.
Note that most of the previous PDF guidelines have been incorporated into the Suppliers Roadmap to Zero. The Suppliers Roadmap to Zero is specific to apparel, textile, leather and footwear suppliers. You will still find all other guidelines and guides on RoadmaptoZero.com.
Comparison to previous guidelines
The digital format combined multiple guidelines and guides into one framework, the Supplier's Roadmap to Zero. Below shows a topline overview of what PDFs moved into which chapters. For greater depth, please see the comparison table on Suppliers Roadmap to Zero.
- Air Emissions Guidelines V1.0 → Air Emissions Guidelines V1
- Wastewater Guidelines V2.2→ Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines V1
- CMS TIG V1.0 → Suppliers Roadmap to Zero (Input and Process)
- Commodity Chemicals V1.0 → Suppliers Roadmap to Zero (Input and Process)
- Responsible Solvents Guide V1.0 → Suppliers Roadmap to Zero (Input and Process)
- Fibres remain in PDF format for now (MMCF, Dissolved Pulp, Recycled Polyester)