Glossary
The glossary provides definitions for key terms used throughout the framework.
A
acute toxicity
The toxic effect or event that manifested arising due to use/exposure of certain substances/chemicals within a very short period of time. The exact period required for the manifestation of such toxicity are be dependent on the the route of exposure. However, usually it can be as low as 4 hrs to as high as 14 days.
analytical testing
Test carried out by a laboratory to assess certain characteristics/properties of a given sample. i.e. measuring the presence of a specific substance in water.
B
baselining
Process of establishing a reference point or a starting point against which future changes or improvements can be measured.
bioaccumulation
The process by which certain substances, such as pollutants or toxins, accumulate in the tissues of living organisms over time. These substances may enter the organism through ingestion, absorption, or inhalation, and once inside the body, they are often stored in fatty tissues, organs, or bones.
brand
An organisation that sells the end product to the consumer. The owner of any associated label / trademark
C
capacity building
The process of developing skills and knowledge.
carcinogenic
A substance that has the potential to cause cancer.
CAS number
A unique number assigned to chemical substances. It can contain up to 10 digits, divided by hyphens into three parts.
case study
Past projects shared as examples to show examples of best practices.
chemical synthesis
An artificial execution of a chemical reaction between one or many reactants to form one or many products. Commercially this terminology is used in the manufacturing of chemicals or formulations.
D
detection limit
The minimum concentration of a substance that can be measured by a specific piece of laboratory equipment and reported with 99% confidence that the analyte concentration is greater than zero. Detection limits are expected to be approximately one-tenth a reporting limit. A ZDHC Approved Laboratory is expected to clearly state the detection limits for each analyte in each final test report. If no detection limits are listed, the report shall be considered non-compliant to these guidelines.
E
endocrine disruptors
Chemicals that may interfere with the hormonal system and, as a result of that, produce harmful effects in both humans and wildlife.
F
feedstock
A general term for the raw materials used as input for recycling processes.
finished materials
Processed material that has been further processed into fabric, leather and an equivalent state for use as intermediate textile or leather products.
finished product
Processed material that has been manufactured and transformed for use as an end-use product.
H
heavy metals
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that are dense and have a high atomic weight. They are used in many industries, domestic, agriculture, medical, and technologies, which has led to them being found all over the environment. Regarding the ZDHC MRSL, only certain heavy metals have been added and not all.
homogenised
To physically blend two substances together and crush to an extent that they blend together and get distributed evenly, having a uniform composition. It could be two solids, two liquids, or one solid and one liquid.
I
impermeable
A material that does not allow fluids to pass through.
incoming water
Water that is supplied to a manufacturing process, usually withdrawn from surface water bodies, groundwater, collected from rainfall, supplied by municipalities, etc.
inert
Chemical substances that are chemically stable and do not undergo significant chemical reactions under normal conditions.
input material
The material purchased by the suppliers and used as a component in the final product/article.
intentional use
Planned use within manufacturer rather than a byproduct.
intermediate materials
Refined raw material that has been processed into yarn and equivalent state for use as intermediate textile products.
L
leachate
Water that has percolated through or drained from a material, typically waste or contaminated soil, and contains dissolved or suspended pollutants. It is formed when water, either from rainfall or other sources, passes through a solid material, such as a landfill or hazardous waste site, and picks up contaminants along the way.
limit
The maxium / minimum numerical value set for chemical substances in chemical products, water, air, etc. as described in ZDHC's guidelines, solutions and platforms.
liquid sludge
Sludge that is flowable and will flow by gravity if not contained by some means.
M
mass balance
A converstion application accounting for material entering and leaving a system, this technique allows for the identification of mass flows that might otherwise have been unknown or difficult to measure.
mutagenic
Anything that causes a mutation (a change in the DNA of a cell). DNA changes caused by mutagens may harm cells and cause certain diseases, such as cancer.
N
new supplier
A new supplier is any supplier who is supplying materials to the facility for the first time, or is a regular supplier supplying new material types that have not yet been qualified or tested.
O
on-site assessment
An evaluation or analysis conducted at the physical location where operations take place, with the objective of verifying compliance with a specific reference standard. During an on-site assessment, reviewers may observe processes in action, interview staff, review documentation, and inspect facilities to gather accurate and firsthand information
P
parameter
The requirements set for a chemical, substance or industry concern (e.g. microfibres, water consumption, chemical oxygen demand, etc) to demonstrate compliance.
pathogens
An organism that causes disease to their host eg. viruses, bacteria fungi, protozoa, and worms.
persistent
Continuing to exist and occur over a long period of time.
phase
A scientific terminology by which material state is indicated e.g solid phase, liquid phase & gaseous phase.
Potential to Emit
The maximum capacity of a stationary source to discharge/emit certain compounds (e.g. Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs, or greenhouse gases GHGs) under its physical and operational design (does not include treatment/reduction).
processed raw material
Raw material that has been refined into a commodity state that can be further processed into any form of finished or end-use textile product (e.g., staple fibre, filament and raw hide).
processors
A processor is a facility in the textile, leather, or footwear supply chain that carries out chemical processing activities on input materials
R
random testing
Spot-testing on randomly selected batches, following a risk-based testing plan
raw material
A basic material used to produce goods. An example of a raw material is cotton
raw material (for chemical formulators)
Fundamental chemical substances or compounds used as initial building blocks for creating specific intermediate or commercial chemical formulations. They may undergo several combinations and processes at a chemical formulator before conversion into a chemical formulation. Anthraquinone is an example of a raw material used in the manufacture of several dyes for the textile and leather industry.
regular supplier
A supplier who has consistently supplied materials to the facility and has met the facility’s quality, compliance, and performance requirements. These suppliers have undergone the facility’s supplier evaluation process.
regular testing
Planned, systematic testing done for materials as per a predefined testing matrix/regimen based on risk evaluation.
reporting limit
Reporting Limit is the lowest concentration that the ZDHC Approved Laboratories use to report whether the submitted conforms or does not conform to the limits set by ZDHC for that specific parameter.
reprotoxic
A chemical substance that may cause damage to an unborn child.
S
Safety Data Sheet
A standardised document that contains occupational health and safety data. SDS's typically contain chemical properties, health and environmental hazards, protective measures, as well as safety precautions for storing, handling, and transporting chemicals.
screening
A qualitive or semi-qualitive test performed to identify chemicals within a sample.
self-declaration
When a person/organisation declares compliance to a requirement on the basis of its own internal stewardship procedures.
sintering
A manufacturing process in which powdered materials are compacted and then heated to a temperature below their melting point, causing the particles to bond and form a solid mass without fully liquefying. This process increases the strength, durability, and density of the final product by reducing porosity, and it can be applied to metals, ceramics, plastics, and more.
Smart Testing Guidance Sheet
This is a guidance sheet for ZDHC MRSL risks for various input materials, categorised by their type and form. It is intended to support facilities in identifying and evaluating key risks from input materials.
strategically critical material
A material used in the majority or repeat finished products and is critical for the operations of the facility.
T
Technical Data Sheet
A Technical Data Sheet describes how a chemical product is to be used by a mill. It includes information such as the amount used per process.
third-party testing
In third-party testing, chemical product wastewater and sludge samples are tested by an accredited independent laboratory.
Total Suspended Solids
A measure of the suspended solids in wastewater, effluent, or water bodies. Solids in water that can be trapped by a filter. To measure Total Suspended Solids the water sample is filtered through a pre-weighed filter. The residue retained on the filter is dried in an oven at 103–105°C until the weight of the filter no longer changes.
toxic
A chemical or substance that can be poisonous, hazardous, harmful to health or the environment.
U
untreated wastewater (raw wastewater)
Wastewater that is collected prior to any treatment.
W
wet processing
Manufacturing processes using water as a fluid that contacts the product being manufactured. For example, dyeing, finishing, printing, washing, and laundry processes. Non-contact, closed-loop boiler or cooling water are not considered wet processing.