The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) has released the ZDHC Air Emissions Guidelines V1.0, marking a significant step in addressing air pollution in the textile, apparel, leather, and footwear industries. This first version builds upon the 2019 Air Emissions Position Paper, setting performance criteria for air emissions and supporting continuous improvement across the sector.
ZDHC’s guidelines focus on managing input chemistry, particularly Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), to achieve cleaner output and reduce air pollution. Unlike other industry initiatives that target greenhouse gases (GHG), ZDHC emphasizes VOC content in input formulations, allowing suppliers to establish baselines and better understand air emission requirements. Future versions of the guidelines will expand to include testing.
The guidelines help suppliers evaluate their current air emissions performance and implement effective VOC emissions practices. Brands are encouraged to share these guidelines with their supply chain, urging suppliers to calculate their baselines, monitor VOCs and GHGs, and report their data on the ZDHC platform. This step-by-step approach aligns with ZDHC’s philosophy of improving output by managing input, aiming to drive continuous improvement and sustainability in the industry.
Read the guideline: https://downloads.roadmaptozero.com/output/Air-Emission-Position-Paper
