Engage relevant teams and individuals
Once senior management has approved the policy and strategy, the team leading the ZDHC implementation will need to work with all areas of the business to achieve ZDHC-related goals. Often, the best push can come from the buying teams. Regular updates on targets and progress help to refresh supporting teams, where ZDHC is not necessarily seen as a key objective.
It is important that all staff who have a connection to products and/or with suppliers and/or communicate about what the brand is doing have a good understanding of ZDHC and the brand’s chemical management strategy. This increases the brand’s capabilities to progress on on its strategy implementation but also strengthens its resilience in critical moments.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Buyers/merchandisers
- Design
- Sourcing/procurement
- Sustainability (other than chemical management)
- Marketing
- Communication
- Senior management (e.g. directors)
These teams do not need to know the ins and outs of the performance criteria, but should have a broad understanding of what ZDHC is and what the brand’s requirements to suppliers are. In the communication with peripheral teams or leadership, ZDHC matters should be translated into “their language”, e.g. commercial or marketing. It is recommended to look at RtZ implementation from their perspective and, if necessary, even rephrase challenges and opportunities so they understand how they are affected.
The Chemical Management team should update these teams on a regular basis throughout the year on the supply base engagement progress.