Change-log
The changelog contains a record of all changes made to the framework content.
06 Aug 2026
Chemical Purchasing - V1
Updated to improve clarity, align with the ZDHC Supplier to Zero (StZ) V2 requirements, and strengthen guidance. Updates include revised terminology and explanations, the addition of guidance on virgin and non-virgin commodity chemicals and recording chemical lot/batch numbers, a new requirement for facilities to use ZDHC MRSL conformant chemicals (including solvents and other chemical substances), correction of a spelling error and restructuring the requirements from two to four to align with StZ V2.
06 Aug 2026
InCheck Reporting - V1
The chapter has been updated with new guidance defining facility scope for InCheck reporting, and the requirements have been revised to align with ZDHC Supplier to Zero (StZ) V2.
06 Aug 2026
Chemical Traceability - V1
Requirements wording updated to align with StZ V2. The inventory management requirement was broadened from FIFO to FEFO and/or FIFO, depending on whether the facility manages chemicals by expiration date or purchase date. Additional guidance, examples, and FEFO-specific clarification have been added. As part of this update, the earlier requirement to record lot/batch numbers of all chemicals purchased by the facility has been removed.
06 Aug 2026
Input Materials Purchasing - V1
Updated to strengthen guidance on responsible purchasing, supplier risk assessment, and verification of input materials to manage chemical risks and prevent restricted or hazardous substances from entering production. The requirement wording has been updated and a footnote has been added to the guidance for additional clarity. The downloadable "Scope of Input Materials" and "ZDHC MIL Template" files have also been updated by revising the "Material or component description" and "Material or component category" data points, replacing the previous versions of both files.
06 Aug 2026
Chemical Management Strategy - V1
The previous four requirements have been consolidated into three, with the requirement wording updated to align with StZ V2. The requirement to prepare an action plan to implement the chemical management strategy has been merged into the requirement for a documented chemical management strategy, reinforcing a more integrated approach to strategy development and implementation. In addition, the upstream supplier engagement guidance has been expanded with additional scope, objectives, responsibilities, and practical examples to provide greater clarity.
06 Aug 2026
Safe Chemical Storage - V1
The previous four requirements have been consolidated into two, with the requirement wording updated to align with StZ V2. The requirements have been streamlined by integrating the previous storage design, safety card, and chemical compatibility elements into a broader requirement focused on the assessment and design of safe chemical storage areas, providing a more holistic approach to safe chemical storage.
06 Aug 2026
Waste Management - V1
The previous six requirements have been consolidated into three, with the requirement wording updated to align with StZ V2. Requirements relating to the identification, segregation, quantification, handling, and transport of chemical waste have been integrated into a single requirement with supporting guidance, providing a more streamlined and comprehensive approach to chemical waste management.
06 Aug 2026
Chemical Handling & Worker Safety - V1
The requirement wording has been updated
06 Aug 2026
Document and Process Control - V1
The requirement wording has been updated to provide greater clarity, and new guidance on root cause analysis (RCA) has been added under the requirement "A chemical incident management system is implemented". This strengthens expectations for investigating chemical incidents, identifying underlying causes, and implementing effective corrective actions to help prevent recurrence.
01 Nov 2026
Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines - V2
The ZDHC Wastewater and Sludge Guidelines have been enhanced with new MRSL parameters, revised test methods, tighter wastewater limits, expanded sludge testing, and semi-announced sampling. Clarifications have also been made to wastewater flow rate requirements, discharge definitions, compliance expectations, MRSL detections, corrective action implementation, and terminology to improve consistency and support effective implementation of the Guidelines.
06 Aug 2026
Air Emissions Guidelines - V2
The existing requirements have been renamed to align with StZ V2, the PTE-VOC calculation methodology has been expanded with a complete calculation formula, the Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions guidance has been updated to clarify the required activity data (including fugitive emissions), and the previously marked "coming soon" requirement for setting Paris Agreement-aligned GHG reduction targets has now been published.
06 Aug 2026
Chemical-Related Waste Disposal - V1
The requirement wording has been updated to improve clarity, and the recommendations related to chemical-related waste reduction have been revised to better support implementation and alignment with the requirement.
30 Jul 2026
28 Oct 2025
ETP Assessment - V1
ETP Assessment chapter added. Focusing on Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), this chapter highlights their essential role in treating industrial wastewater from textile and leather production. It explains how efficient ETPs ensure effluent meets quality standards and prevent negative environmental and health impacts.
23 Jul 2025
Continuous Improvement Actions - V1
The requirement wording has been updated.
24 Sep 2025
Materials Traceability - V1
Updated to place greater emphasis on end-to-end material traceability, helping facilities strengthen transparency and accountability across the supply chain. The updated guidance reinforces the need for robust traceability systems that enable materials to be tracked back to their source and supports a more effective response to non-conformities through the inclusion of root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action plans (CAPs). The requirement wording has also been updated to align with StZ V2