Suppliers Roadmap to Zero
Guiding suppliers through the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Journey
The Suppliers Roadmap to Zero (SRtZ) is ZDHC's supplier programme for sustainable chemical management.
It provides a practical framework to help suppliers implement best practices across the full manufacturing lifecycle, from chemical inputs, through operational processes, to environmental outputs.
As part of the broader ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme, the Suppliers Roadmap to Zero supports suppliers in moving beyond compliance and embedding sustainable chemical management into day-to-day operations.
The programme is designed to support continuous improvement and provide suppliers with a practical pathway for implementing sustainable chemical management over time.
Scope of Suppliers Roadmap to Zero
The Suppliers Roadmap to Zero applies to organisations that manufacture, process, assemble, finish or manage the production of materials and products for the fashion industry.
Scope
Examples include:
- Textile manufacturers and processors
- Raw wool scouring and raw silk degumming facilities
- Leather manufacturers and tanneries
- Apparel manufacturers, including Cut, Make, and Trim (CMT) facilities
- Footwear manufacturers and assemblers
- Accessories and trim manufacturers
- Home textile and furnishing manufacturers
- Printing, dyeing, washing, finishing, coating, and laundry facilities
- Vertically integrated manufacturing facilities
- Traders, agents, sourcing companies, and similar organisations that subcontract manufacturing activities or manage supplier networks and are responsible for establishing and implementing chemical management requirements across their supply chains
Out of Scope
The following are currently outside the scope of SRtZ:
- Raw material production and extraction activities, including agriculture, livestock farming, forestry, and petrochemical feedstock production
- Chemical manufacturers and formulators producing substances or formulations
- Fibre manufacturing facilities covered under the ZDHC Fibre Programme, including:
- Dissolving pulp manufacturers
- Man-made cellulosic fibre (MMCF) manufacturers
- Recycled fibre manufacturers
Fibre Programme
Fibre production is covered separately through the ZDHC Fibre Programme, covering:
- Dissolving pulp manufacturers
- Man-made cellulosic fibre (MMCF) manufacturers
- Recycled fibre manufacturers
Learn more about the ZDHC Fibre Programme
Supporting Tools and Assessment Frameworks
Suppliers can use ZDHC tools and access training to support the implementation of the Suppliers Roadmap to Zero
Supplier to Zero
Supplier to Zero (StZ) is the implementation and assessment framework based on the Suppliers Roadmap to Zero (S RtZ). It enables suppliers to evaluate, demonstrate, and benchmark how effectively they have implemented the practices described within S RtZ. StZ assesses supplier performance across the same three focus areas: Input, Process, and Output, and recognises performance across three progressive levels.
ZDHC InCheck
InCheck Reporting enables suppliers to measure and report the ZDHC MRSL conformance of chemical formulations used within their facilities.
ZDHC ClearStream
ClearStream enables suppliers to test wastewater and sludge and report on the findings in accordance with the ZDHC Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines.
ZDHC Academy
The ZDHC Academy is the training platform to help suppliers build capability and strengthen implementation of sustainable chemical management practices, as well as navigate ZDHC tools and frameworks.
Not Sure if Suppliers Roadmap to Zero Applies to Your Organisation?
As a general rule:
- YES - SRtZ is likely applicable if your organisation manufactures, processes, assembles, finishes or manages the production of materials or products, or is an intermediary.
- YES - It may also be applicable if your organisation manages suppliers and is responsible for implementing chemical management requirements across the supply chain.
- NO - SRtZ is generally not applicable to fibre manufacturers, chemical formulators, or organisations involved solely in raw material production.