A survey of chemicals used in 18 textile supply plants of major fashion brands in Asia revealed that only two of the plants were able to provide sufficient information about the chemicals used in their facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This investigation, conducted by the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), focused on the use and management of chemicals, primarily targeting 20 textile factories belonging to various fashion brands across Asia. These factories are located in Bangladesh, China, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Eighteen of these sites were specifically investigated for their chemical substance management systems and inventory checks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The survey revealed that most of the surveyed factories were unable to obtain information on the chemical substances in complex mixtures from their suppliers. However, this also indicates room for improvement in chemical substance management, inventory, and communication. Common chemicals found in these factories include dyes, auxiliaries, detergents, and lubricants. While many of the chemicals in these mixtures are well-known, suppliers are unwilling to provide information on proprietary formulas. The survey also found that some factories even use restricted hazardous substances in their production processes. Heavy metals, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, perfluorinated compounds, alkylphenol ethoxylates, and phthalate salts were detected in the wastewater and sludge discharged from these factories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to Greenpeace's continued pressure on fashion brands to eliminate toxic substances, brands united to establish ZDHC in 2011, aiming to achieve the goal of using zero hazardous substances in the apparel supply chain by 2020. In June of this year, ZDHC also announced its short-term goal of publishing a list of chemicals that need to be banned or require further research by 2015.
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