Define the responsible person and team

The brand should clearly define who will lead ZDHC implementation from the brand’s side in the organisation. Once a person or team has been identified, responsibilities should be defined, ensuring that all aspects of ZDHC implementation are covered.

The responsible team or person should consider the below questions: 

• How does Roadmap to Zero implementation matter to my leader? 
• Do they know what the company and teams are doing?
• How does it matter for decision-making in practical day-to-day operations and when setting annual implementation plans?

As part of strategy development, as the leading role in implementing Roadmap to Zero (RtZ), a brand needs to ask: 

• How can the brand ensure a consistent and coherent company approach?
• Who are the internal stakeholders? Among them, who has the most leverage for supporting RtZ implementation?
  • (E.g. What teams are in direct contact with suppliers of any tiers? Who has key roles for procurement decisions/supply chain management? etc)

• How can the brand ensure employee commitment to RtZ implementation?
• How can the brand ensure suppliers’ commitment to RtZ implementation?
• Which processes and procedures should be impacted by RtZ goals and strategy?

Brand ZDHC training

When a brand first joins ZDHC (either as a Friend or a Signatory), they will start their onboarding process. The brand will be introduced to ZDHC staff from relevant teams who could support the brand in its journey, such as:

• ZDHC RtZ Programme Team : Supports all stakeholders on implementing the RtZ Programme.
• ZDHC Regions Team: Supports the ZDHC community in local regions and increases education on ZDHC in the regions.
• ZDHC Gateway Team: Develops and maintains the Gateway Platform and data held on it.
• ZDHC Academy Team: Works closely with Approved Training Providers to deliver ZDHC approved training to stakeholders.
• ZDHC Competence Centres: Develop guidelines and other documents to support the RtZ Programme.

In addition, the brand will receive access to onboarding materials and tools such as:

• Introduction to ZDHC e-learning
• ZDHC Gateway learning environment
• Brand Virtual Environment

In addition the brand can work with a ZDHC Approved Training Provider to complete sustainable chemical management training for brands and retailers.

When the brand team undergo relevant changes, such as an employee leaves the team or a new one joins the team, this should be promptly communicated to ZDHC. This is especially relevant in case of changes in the main reference person for ZDHC, in this way ZDHC could support in ensuring continuity in the co-operation. 

In addition, new brand staff should be onboarded on ZDHC, communication flows (e.g. ZDHC newsletters) and platforms and tools.