Leather not factored into ZDHC’s restricted chemicals list – for now
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) group has published a Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) which outlines chemicals the companies will eliminate from their supply chains by 2020.
The MRSL applies to chemicals used in facilities that process textile materials and trim parts for use in apparel and footwear for members including Nike, adidas, Jack Wolfskin and Burberry.
However, it has chosen not to include tanning in the mandate – for now.
“Hazardous substances potentially used during natural leather processing will be addressed in the next version of the MRSL,” said ZDHC. “Special considerations of the chemistry involved made it necessary for the ZDHC Group to separately address leather processing at a later date.”
The list does include chromium (VI), which is banned in the Raw Material and Finished Product Supplier Guidance and has a limit of 10 ppm in terms of Chemical Supplier Commercial Formulation Limit. “Although typically associated with leather tanning, chromium VI also may be used in the dyeing of wool after the chroming process.”
