TÜV Rheinland’s Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) testing program has been recognizedby the Stichting ZDHC Foundation (ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme) as newest Certification standard to assess ZDHC MRSL Level 1 Conformance (Newslink).
The organization, which has built a reputation as a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, has been approved to assess MRSL Level 1 testing conformance in connection with the ZDHC Gateway™ - Chemical Module. The Module is an advanced search engine for chemical formulations that conform to ZDHC's MRSL guidance. It enables textile and leather manufacturers to find safer alternatives and reduce their use of hazardous chemicals.
“We are delighted to have TÜV Rheinland as our newest ZDHC MRSL Accepted Certification Standard,” says ZDHC Programme Director Scott Echols.
“Today, every company or brand that is engaged in chemicals management has a Restricted Substances List (RSL) aimed at limiting the hazardous chemicals and substances that consumers are exposed to in finished garments. However, the manufacturing process may use hundreds of chemicals, and even if they are washed-out before the garments reach the end-consumer, they may still impact the health of workers and the environment in the countries of production,” said Mohammed Dkhissi, Global Vice President Softlines, TÜV Rheinland.
In addition, the chemicals used to clean the processing equipment and facilities can have a massive impact. Not only on the final product, but on the environment as well.
Barrels containing dye materials for textile and leather manufacturers.
Receiving ZDHC approval for the ZDHC MRSL Testing program marks a milestone for TÜV Rheinland and its customers. Ensuring that dyestuffs, pigments and auxiliaries are ZDHC MRSL-compliant mitigates potential risks and downstream impacts. It also opens the door for manufacturers and users of chemical formulations in the textile and leather industry to lucrative and increasingly regulated markets.
Achieving ZDHC MRSL Level 1 Conformance with TÜV Rheinland
The ZDHC Programme relies on expert third-parties to gauge ZDHC MRSL conformance. ZDHC MRSL Level 1 includes a process to help chemical suppliers to demonstrate conformance. TÜV Rheinland has developed sophisticated certification systems, based on the assessment of chemicals used during production and product evaluation.
Testing in progress in laboratory
“Along with our ZDHC-approved waste water testing laboratory, our global team of ZDHC-approved trainers, SAC FEM 3.0 & BEPI qualified auditors and verifiers, this new recognition enables chemical manufacturers and textile, garment and leather product producers to manage the input of chemicals and remove hazardous substances from their manufacturing processes,” said Dkhissi.
The ZDHC MRSL is a living document which is updated as needed to expand the scope of materials and processes covered, and include new substances that should be phased out of the value chain. The latest ZDHC MRSL can be downloaded at mrsl.roadmaptozero.com.