Swiss inspection firm SGS achieves ZDHC MRSL v2.0 level 1 conformance

11 Oct '21

2 min read

Pic: SGS

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has announced that the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation has recognised and accepted its Vietnam operation as an ‘indicator of Level 1 ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) v2.0 Conformance’ in connection with the ZDHC Gateway – chemical module.

This recognition enables the Swiss firm to provide chemical MRSL conformance services from their laboratories in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, two major apparel and footwear manufacturing locations. It also heralds the expansion of SGS’s capabilities across the region where it already has ZDHC Foundation approved laboratories in Istanbul, Chennai, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung.

ZDHC, whose mission is to advance towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals in the textile, leather and footwear value chain to improve the environment, has approved a total of eight SGS laboratories as part of the SGS Global MRSL Conformance Certification Centre. All MRSL analysis to produce these certificates must be carried out by these laboratories.

“SGS is committed to supporting the textile and footwear industry to move at pace towards the zero-discharge goal and we are delighted with this recognition from the ZDHC Foundation enabling us to further expand our sustainability services,” Yvonne Tse, vice president, global softlines at SGS said in a press release.

“Vietnam is a major textile and footwear manufacturing hub and by having this new conformance testing capability at Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong we can ensure retailers and manufacturer in the textile and apparel industry benefit from increased efficiency and shorter turnaround times. Ultimately, we can support clients to meet their environmental and global sustainability aims,” Tse added.

ZDHC published an MRSL conformance guidance establishing the way in which chemical formulators can provide indicators of conformance, as well as how manufacturers and brands can find recognized and credible processes for chemical formulations compiled with ZDHC MRSL in ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module.

“We provide robust and holistic solutions for chemical and environmental management across the supply chain,” SGS said in a statement. “As well as the MRSL programme, we are working on other ZDHC programmes, like training and wastewater testing, as an Accredited Training Provider (ATP) and accepted wastewater laboratory.”

SGS has developed a unique trio approach to help manufacturers and their suppliers to create a safer environment, as well as assisting the textile and footwear supply chain toward the zero-discharge goal.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JL)

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