Indonesia witnessed a groundbreaking event that marked a significant stride towards sustainable chemical management in the textile industry. Testex, in collaboration with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative, hosted the first-ever ‘Accelerating Sustainable Chemical Management: The ZDHC Way’ seminar in Indonesia, attracting industry stakeholders eager to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
The seminar, held earlier this month, saw an impressive turnout with 380 attendees representing 250 companies. Notable guests included government representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Industry, prominent brands like H&M, Adidas, New Balance, and Uniqlo, as well as buying agents and textile and chemical manufacturers.
The core objective of the event was to educate stakeholders on the effective implementation of Sustainable Chemical Management using the ZDHC Guidelines and Platforms. As an official ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme Solution Provider, Testex took the lead in providing valuable insights into the ZDHC initiative.
One of the highlights of the seminar was the presentation by Testex’s own Mary-Rose Egloff, who introduced the OEKO-TEX Eco Passport certification as an approved standard for compliance with the updated ZDHC MRSL V3.1. This certification gained considerable interest, particularly among textile manufacturers who already held OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification and sought to partner with Eco Passport certified suppliers that align with the ZDHC MRSL.
The ZDHC representatives shared two presentations detailing the recent updates to the ZDHC Guidelines and provided an overview of their platforms and implementation solutions. Furthermore, H&M and Adidas took the stage to showcase their commitment to sustainable chemical management and shared their experiences in adopting the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme.
A significant part of the seminar involved a panel discussion where attendees openly shared their experiences and challenges faced while implementing the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme. The engaging exchange of ideas led to fruitful discussions that will further strengthen the textile industry’s transition to eco-friendly practices.
One of the seminar’s most exciting outcomes was the anticipation and demand for more detailed information about the ZDHC implementation programs. This interest, especially from chemical suppliers and textile manufacturers, led to ZDHC organizing a follow-up workshop with a select group of participants to cover the specifics of the ZDHC gateway implementation.
Testex and ZDHC’s seminar undoubtedly proved to be a milestone event, offering industry stakeholders a roadmap towards a cleaner and greener future. With a growing emphasis on sustainable practices and chemical management, the Indonesian textile industry is primed to make a significant positive impact on the environment, driven by the ZDHC Guidelines and the coveted OEKO-TEX Eco Passport certification.
As the textile industry embraces this transformative journey, collaboration between stakeholders, brands, and governments will play a crucial role in achieving the ambitious goal of zero discharge of hazardous chemicals. The ‘Accelerating Sustainable Chemical Management: The ZDHC Way’ seminar serves as a shining example of how collective efforts can shape a more sustainable future for the global textile industry.