ZDHC elects inaugural Board of Directors

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) has announced the members of its inaugural Board of Directors. The nine individuals elected would serve a 3-year term as ZDHC Board members, executive director Frank Michel said in a statement.

The nine members are Frouke Bruinsma, G-Star Raw; Charles Dickinson, Primark; Monica Gorman, New Balance Athletic Shoe; Philipp Meister, Adidas Group; Stefan Seidel, Puma; Nathaniel Sponsler, Gap; Graham Storrie, Esprit; Joyce Tsoi, H&M; and Scott Vitters, Nike.

Meanwhile, Primark and F&F (owned and operated by Tesco Stores) have joined ZDHC, taking the total count of the group to 20 brands that are committed to zero discharge.

ZDHC came into being in 2011, when a group of major apparel and footwear brands and retailers made a shared commitment to help lead the industry towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals by 2020.

As a part of the commitment and first steps towards ZDHC, the group of brands published a Joint Roadmap in November 2011. The document demonstrates the group's collaborative efforts in leading the apparel and footwear industry towards ZDHC for all products across all pathways by 2020.

During the past year, ZDHC got registered as a legal entity under Dutch law, hired its first executive director, secured office space, hired a ZDHC implementation team and updated its governance structure, the statement said. (RKS)