Chemical hazards in manufacturing -
ZDHC program

Chemical pollution is the product of artificial or natural substances that are hazardous to people or their environment (for example, hormone disruptors: bisphenols, pesticides, etc.). They can cause short-term visible reactions, such as allergies. But also have invisible longer-term effects: threatening our hormonal system and leading to illnesses.

The pollution can also be environmental. We find these in nature as a result of industrial chemical waste. Once in the water, the air, or the soil, these toxic elements can impact biodiversity and, subsequently, us.

A t-shirt can have a colour, have prints, be water repellent... All these features come from chemical treatments. If most of the substances used are safe, it is however imperative to check the integrity at every stage (at the time of production, for the workers, when wastewater is released into the environment, at the time of storage, for Decathlon teams, when the product is being used by customers...).

If a substance has to be removed, it has to be done throughout the value chain.

"Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemical" program is a foundation of 350 signatories from the textile, leather, apparel and footwear industry: brands, factories, chemical suppliers, certification bodies, laboratories…
What is the objective? Achieving zero discharge of hazardous chemicals into the environment. In essence, bring about change on the suppliers' side. DECATHLON has been an official signatory since January 2022.

To achieve the ambition, the program “Roadmap to Zero” helps brands to implement sustainable chemical management best practices such as guidelines, training, platforms and solutions across their whole value chain. For our customers, it's the assurance we are taking action to make the world safer.

The foundation brings us the skills and tools to better manage hazards in production. We also actively provide our expertise on the subject. For our customers, it's the assurance we are taking action to make the world safer.

DECATHLON SE is committed to supporting the ZDHC’s mission to enable the textile, leather, apparel, and footwear industries to implement best practices for the sustainable management of chemicals throughout the value chain. Through collaboration and with the overall aim of harmonising industry practices, defining standards and implementing them, the ZDHC Foundation is committed to achieving zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.

Company commits to support the ZDHC’vision of the widespread implementation of sustainable chemistry, driving innovations and best practices in textile, apparel, and footwear industries to protect consumers, workers and the environment.

DECATHLON's commitment to ZDHC applies to the entire group (including individual brands within DECATHLON) linked to the ZDHC scope. Consequently, all suppliers working with DECATHLON and involved in the manufacture of textiles, leather, clothing or footwear are required to apply DECATHLON's requirements to the ZDHC program, whether the factory is a producer of components or finished products.

DECATHLON adopts the ‘ZDHC MRSL’ and ‘ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines’ in their entirety, and commits to comply with the ‘ZDHC CMS’ (Chemical Management System), ‘TIG’ (Technical Industry Guide) and ‘MMCF’ (Man Made Cellulosic Fibers) guidelines. DECATHLON is committed to participating and being involved in the creation, development, testing, improvement and joint implementation of the ZDHC program (‘Roadmap to Zero’, guidelines, training, solutions and any initiative that advances the ZDHC mission and vision.

To harmonise its procedures and establish best practices to manage chemical risk in its value chain, DECATHLON signed the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) Foundation initiative in 2022. This organisation supports the collective commitment of signatory brands and their suppliers through the application of the Roadmap to Zero program and production standards (eg. ZDHC MRSL: hazardous substances banned in production), to reach its objective of zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.

Each year, an external auditing firm evaluates the progress made by each signatory brand through analysing performance indicators established by ZDHC. Then, based on the results of the report, the companies are ranked into three maturity levels :
- Level 1 (“Pioneer”) for which companies demonstrate their initial commitment for ZDHC program and how they implement ZDHC roadmaps in their decision-making for a sustainable chemical management

-  Level 2 (“Accelerator”) for which companies must demonstrate the successful implementation of ZDHC solutions in their value chain and an advanced performance

- Level 3 (“Champion”) recognizes brands to position themselves as leaders in combating the use of hazardous chemicals in the textile & footwear industry.

Following the achievement of “Accelerator” level after two years of membership into ZDHC Foundation DECATHLON is really proud to reach the “Champion” level for the 2025 Signatory brand assessment, one year before the ambitious target initially set-up by the company to reach the top level. This is a reflection of the strong investment and work carried out by the company, as well as Decathlon’s value chain, over the past four years to align itself with ZDHC’s vision. This harmonisation of the practices have been implemented notably through the use of ZDHC platforms, guidelines, training and solutions).

DECATHLON aims now to maintain this top level of excellence in the coming years and consolidate the performance of its value chain.
These last years, DECATHLON teams worked hard to get as many concerned suppliers as possible involved in the ZDHC program. Today, 440 Rank 1 and Rank 2 production sites are effectively part of the journey toward aligning themselves with Roadmap to Zero standards). These production sites connected to the foundation’s platform (ZDHC Gateway) to share their data and performance, reflecting the growing importance attached to the program by DECATHLON’s value chain.

Results of the Roadmap to Zero program integration as of 31 December 2024:
— 96% of the concerned suppliers are enrolled in the program
— 55% of component production sites performed the INCHECK Report (chemical inventory of the factory).
— 34% of production sites participated in the Supplier chemical management training provided by Decathlon teams (training approved by ZDHC).
—26% of production sites have been certified by ZDHC as Level 1 for Supplier to Zero assessment.
— 61% of concerned production sites performed the CLEARSTREAM Report (wastewater analysis of the factory).

DECATHLON initially defined to reach the highest level of recognition into ZDHC by 2026, but achieved it in 2025.

Every year a report based on Kpi and metrics, is produced by a third party assessor (KPMG). The aim is to measure the level of implementation of the ZDHC roadmap inside each brand's supply chain.

We did not think it was possible to level up in one year but we did it! Indeed, in 2023, after only one year of membership, we passed from the Pioneer level to the Accelerator level.
Then, in 2025, after only three years inside the Foundation, we finally reached our ambition to be part of the world best Brands acting for a sustainable chemical management in the textile industry!

The "Roadmap to Zero" Program is organized into three focus areas which are interlinked to improve chemical management.

- Input
Chemicals used in the supply chain are constantly checked, and non-validated chemicals are progressively substituted by safer alternatives to ensure ZDHC MRSL conformance.

- Process
Guidelines & training guide suppliers to implement the best Chemical Management System in the factory. Suppliers are trained on chemical management in plant, ensuring good procedures and best practices are in place to ensure worker’s safety and reduce their environmental impact

- Output
Wastewater, sludges & air are analysed to ensure that any rejects from the factory will not impact the natural environment: clean water, safe air, no soil contamination…

When "manufacturing pollution" is mentioned, CO2 quickly comes to mind. However, water made unfit for consumption due to chemical pollution can immediately impact humans health and the environment. DECATHLON's Sustainable Development teams have been raising awareness among suppliers and reinforcing checks. Some manufacturing steps make intensive use of chemical products: dyeing, tanning, and paper mills...

Regular tests are therefore required to ensure the treated water discharged from the factory is cleaned up and usable for agriculture. Exceeding the standards, means exposing yourself to suspending production and putting a stop to shipments.