ZDHC publishes MRSL Version 1.1 that now includes leather

On 9 December 2015, the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme released an update to the Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) to now include leather.

MRSL lists hazardous substances potentially used and discharged into the environment during manufacturing and related processes deep within supply chains –not just those substances that could be present in finished products. MRSL of 2014 pointed that natural leather and metal trim parts were not under regulation, while the updated version deletes the provision, which indicates the hazardous substances listed on MRSL Version 1.1 potentially used in natural leather processing should also be restricted.

The MRSL Version 1.1 was developed by the ZDHC apparel and footwear brands in close collaboration with third-party technical experts and global industry associations. Brands, supply chains and broader industries adopt harmornised methods to control hazardous substances in textiles and decoration materials, dedicated to propelling the long-term goal of “zero discharge of hazardous chemicals”. ZDHC brands should communicate the information of MRSL Version 1.1 with raw material suppliers, including factories assembling or manufacturing garments and footwear, and expect them to communicate directly with their chemical suppliers so that the listed substances are not present in chemical formulations above established MRSL limits.

The ZDHC MRSL Version 1.1 includes chemicals used in facilities that process materials and trim parts for use in apparel and footwear. These chemicals include solvents, cleaners, adhesives, paints, inks, detergents, dyes, colourants, auxiliaries, coatings and finishing agents used during raw material production, wet-processing, maintenance, wastewater treatment, sanitation and pest control. It also specifies limits to eliminate the possibility for intentional use of such hazardous substances in view of helping brands and orgnisations of the industry or supply chain to phase out the use of such substances.

In the meantime, ZDHC also published guidance for suppliers so that companies and processing factories in the supply chain can regulate hazardous chemicals according to MRSL Version 1.1.

C&K Testing advises suppliers and processing factories to follow up the contents in MRSL Version 1.1 to adjust manufacturing techniques and promote product quality.