ST GALLEN – Leading global textile standards organisation, Bluesign technologies, has been announced as the first accredited certifier for manufacturing restricted substance list (MRSL) conformance at level 3 of the ZDHC Gateway chemical module. The move means that more than 11,000 chemical formulations from the Bluesign bluefinder system are now recognised at ZDHC level 3 and seen as a significant step towards textile chemical convergence.
The ZDHC Gateway is a system through which chemical formulators can securely share chemical information in accordance with the ZDHC manufacturing restricted substance list. The list has three levels of conformance, 1 being the highest.
Said Jill Dumain, CEO of bluesign technologies: “For many years we have seen the industry try to resolve complex issues, sometimes in isolation. We are proud the approach that bluesign brought to the market 18 years ago will support the ZDHC initiative of convergence of chemical management in our industry. This initiative also provides a clear value and understanding of the possibilities when the industry works together towards the common good.”
Since 2000, bluesign has used a scientific chemical assessment to evaluate the hazards of 20,000 chemical formulations creating the first and most comprehensive positive list. From this assessment, over 11,000 commercially available chemical products have been approved to produce textiles and leather and collectively make up the bluesign bluefinder.
The chemical products from the bluesign bluefinder will be recognized at level 3 in the ZDHC GatewayTM – Chemical Module. The bluesign bluefinder has also banned over 600 products based on both the precautionary principle and legal bans as well as adhering to the industry’s MRSL and Restricted Substance Lists (RSL).
“We are delighted to have bluesign join us as a ZDHC Accepted Certifier for MRSL Conformance, which marks the first step of a collaboration to accelerate momentum in the industry towards forefront chemical management solutions and scalable innovations,” added Frank Michel, executive director of the ZDHC Foundation.