SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENTReducing Discharge Of Hazardous ChemicalsThe textiles industry is under increasing pressure to minimize its impact upon the environment and improve the sustainability of supply chains. One aspect of textile supply chain management that is under particular scrutiny is the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process that are potentially discharged into waste water.

Sustainable Chemistry & Supply Chain Management

The textiles industry is under increasing pressure to minimize its impact upon the environment and improve the sustainability of supply chains. One aspect of textile supply chain management that is under particular scrutiny is the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacturing process that are potentially discharged into waste water.

Numerous initiatives have emerged to address this issue, including:

• Greenpeace’s Detox campaign was launched in 2011 and aims to expose direct links between global clothing brands, their suppliers and toxic water pollution around the world. The campaign objective is to eliminate all releases of hazardous chemicals from textile supply chains and products within one generation (typically 20 years)

• The Joint Roadmap towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), developed in response to the Detox campaign, demands that hazardous chemicals are eliminated from textile supply chains by 2020, to be replaced by greener alternatives.

To meet the ambitious requirements of these initiatives, or even understand how far away your company is from meeting them, it is vital to have in-depth supply chain knowledge in order to identify areas for improvement, develop corporate policies and seek alternative solutions.

How UL Can Help UL partners with clients across every aspect of ‘Sustainable’ or ‘Green Chemistry’ and supply chain management to help :

• Gain better visibility into supply chain issues and mitigate risk

• Develop a proactive stance and demonstrate ‘Green’ credentials

• Demonstrate willingness to invest in the long term future of the business through sustainable supply

chain practices

• Gain competitive advantage through sustainability initiatives and implementation of best practice procedures

• Implement customized and comprehensive Environmental Management Systems

UL employs a four stage process to help clients gain visibility into their supply chain, take action to improve and ultimately have the confidence to be transparent about their policies, aims and achievements around discharge of hazardous chemicals:

Learn Assess Plan Share• What are the

initiatives aimed at reducing discharge of hazardous chemicals?

• What do they involve?

• What are the objectives and requirements? 

• How far is your supply chain from meeting those requirements?

• What kind of visibility do you have into your supply chain and the substances being used?

• What are your company’s objectives relating to discharge of hazardous chemicals?

• How do you develop your policy?

• What needs to be done to achieve your objectives?

• Impart best practices to help aid continuous improvement across the supply chain.

• Show comprehensive plans and steps to help achieve your objectives.

• Demonstrate thought leadership and expertise to the wider industry.

Reducing Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals

For more details on how UL can help you meet the challenges of Sustainable Chemistry and Supply Chains, contact us at QAInquiries@ul.com.

Training And Education

• UL offers in-depth advisory for brands and retailers on industry initiatives, standards, requirements and best practices

Factory Capability And Quality Audit

• Provides a thorough assessment of a facility’s quality control processes and manufacturing capabilities, identifying potential impact on product quality, production or capacity, and competency to deliver consistent quality long-term

Environmental Audit

• Identifies deficiencies in raw material processing, manufacturing and service facilities, including energy use, emissions, waste management and pollution. Draws on insights gained to provide a road map to move from basic compliance to leading edge performance

Waste Water Management Audit

• UL examines water use within facilities and whether the appropriate treatment systems are in place to help minimize potential damage to the environment

Chemical Inventory And Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Review

• Identifies toxic chemicals that should be avoided; standardizes raw materials management and hazards communications programs, providing workers with correct handling and safety information to help maintain a safe work environment

Environmental Management Systems Assessment

• Provides a comprehensive review of compliance with environmental laws and regulation. Detailed evaluations and findings help identify areas of improvement and remediation strategies to address environmental challenges

RSL Development• UL helps clients develop and implement a Restricted

Substance List (RSL) throughout their supply chain to ensure alignment with requirements

Reasonable Testing Program

• Encompassing the entire supply chain, implementation of testing and assessment to the most restrictive regulations helps ensure due diligence and compliance with brand requirements

Supplier Training• Enables supply chain partners to understand and

share responsible sourcing goals as they pertain to raw materials procurement and production procedures

Corrective And Preventative Actions (CAPA)

• Backed by a centralized data management system, UL helps manage large scale supply chain risk management programs, addressing complex, site-specific workplace challenges and facilitating collaborative problem solving between supply chain members

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Since 1894, UL has been a respected leader in safety science. Today, UL is advancing its commitment to protecting people, products and places through expert advisory and independent quality assurance testing, inspections and assessments for a wide range of consumer products. Our network of more than 131 laboratory testing and certification facilities in 39 countries helps drive the integrity of global supply chains, optimize product performance and protect brands.

QAInquiries@ul.com ul.com