The documents released by ZDHC are – Recycled Polyester Guidelines V1.0 and the Industry Standard Implementation Approach V1.0. These guidelines are designed to enhance transparency and promote environmentally responsible practices across the textile industry. 

The Recycled Polyester Guidelines V1.0 covers:   

Input Management: This section provides comprehensive advice on the acquisition and management of materials used in the production of recycled polyester. It includes directives on responsibly sourcing and handling bottles, textiles, and production chemicals. 

Process Management: This section outlines both mandatory and voluntary standards for polyester recycling facilities to ensure the responsible management of chemicals used in manufacturing, including solvent recycling and the safe storage and handling of chemicals to protect worker safety. Recycling facilities are required to report mandatory requirements on the ZDHC platform.  

The section includes: 

• Solvent recovery in chemical recycling processes (mandatory requirement) 

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• Safe chemical storage (voluntary requirement) 

• Chemical handling and worker safety (voluntary requirement) 

• Chemical management training plan (voluntary requirement) 

Output Management: The guidelines emphasise strategies for managing emissions from wastewater, sludge, and air pollutants during the production of recycled polyester fibre, underscoring the imperative to minimize environmental impact. 

ZDHC also released the Industry Standard Implementation Approach V1.0. The accompanying implementation approach that provides a definitive framework for industry adoption, setting clear expectations for stakeholders. 

To facilitate industry acclimatisation, ZDHC will conduct webinars from December 2024 to December 2025. These sessions aim to educate and prepare supply chain participants for the forthcoming implementation phase. Supply chain actors are urged to ensure that their responsible personnel attend these informative webinars. 

During the introductory period, stakeholders are expected to revise their policy statements, including chemical management policies, reflecting updates in line with the ZDHC Recycled Polyester Guidelines V1.0. 

The first reporting cycle for implementing these guidelines is scheduled from 1 January to 31 March 2026.  

This initial phase will involve suppliers self-reporting on the ZDHC Supplier Platform based on guideline requirements without third-party verification. Following this self-assessment, suppliers will be awarded a Certificate of Completion for the Recycled Polyester Module V1.0. 

Subsequent reporting cycles will see the implementation through a verified assessment module on the ZDHC Supplier Platform, complete with a Certificate of Completion detailing scores and an assessment report to highlight potential areas for improvement. 

“The ZDHC Recycled Polyester Guidelines V 1.0 successfully fills the gap in the use and management of recycled polyester materials in the textile, leather and footwear industries by providing unified standards, promoting sustainable development, promoting supply chain transparency and providing technical support,” said Liping Chai, marketing director. 

This initiative represents a significant stride in ZDHC’s mission to eradicate hazardous chemicals from fashion production and sets a precedent for environmental stewardship and worker safety across the global textile industry. 

ZDHC strongly advocates for industry-wide adoption of these guidelines and implementation approaches across all levels of the supply chain.