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.

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 programme and production standards, to reach its objective of zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.

Each year, an external auditing firm evaluates the progress made by each signatory 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 (“Pioner”) for which companies demonstrate their knowledge of ZDHC sustainable chemical management and how to implement ZDHC Solutions in their decision-making for more sustainable chemical management

- Level 2 (“Accelerator”) for which companies must demonstrate continuous improvement and their successful implementation of ZDHC tools in their value chain

- Level 3 (“Champion”) equips companies to position themselves as leaders in combating the use of hazardous chemicals DECATHLON reached level 2 of this classification in 2023, one year ahead of its initial goal. This is a reflection of the
work carried out by the company over the past five years to align itself with ZDHC’s vision, notably through its use of the Restricted List of Chemicals (RLC).

DECATHLON aims to reach the top level of excellence offered by ZDHC by 2026.
In 2023 et 2024, DECATHLON teams worked hard to get as many concerned suppliers as possible involved in the ZDHC approach. So, 430 Rank 1 and Rank 2 production sites began working toward aligning themselves with Roadmap to Zero standards (96%). These production sites connected to the foundation’s platform (ZDHC Gateway) to share their data, reflecting the growing importance attached to the programme by DECATHLON’s supplier network.

Results of the Roadmap to Zero programme integration as of 31 December 2024:
- 48% of component production sites reported their chemical stocks (vs 37% in 2023 and 30% in 2022).
- 34% of production sites participated in the chemical risk management training programme (vs 27% en 2023 and 18% in 2022).
-26% of production sites have been certified to Level 1 for chemical risk management in their plants (compared with 24% in 2023 and 12% in 2022).
- 78% of concerned production sites reported their industrial wastewater quality results (vs 65% in 2023 and 28% in 2022).

"Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemical" programme is a foundation of 350 signatories: brands, factories (in the textile, leather, clothing and footwear industries), chemical product suppliers, certification bodies and 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 member 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 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 (ZDHC Mission).

Company commits to support the ZDHC Foundation 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 perimeter. 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 programme, 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 Roadmap to Zero (ZDHC Programme), guidelines, training, solutions and initiatives that advance the ZDHC mission and vision.

Decathlon must reach the highest level in terms of chemical management by 2026.

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!
Progressive level means we successfully implemented ZDHC roadmap (guidelines, trainings, platforms & solutions) in our supply chain and started to achieve minimum performance in each program.

The Roadmap to Zero Programme 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 & trainings 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 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…

Phthalates encompass many esters of phthalic acid. Phthalates are incorporated into plastics to improve durability, flexibility, and transparency. Phthalates are typically mixed into polymers as an external plasticizer with no chemical bonding. As a result, phthalates may migrate out of the material, resulting in exposure to people or the environment.

For example, inflatable Standup paddles are generally made in PVC and require the use of a plasticiser, such as phthalates, to get a flexible and durable material.
As a matter of health and environment impact, DECATHLON, as AFIRM, bans the use of 24 ortho-Phthalates substances6 from all our articles, at very low concentrations (500 ppm individual substances, 1000 ppm total) to follow regulations, ensure low health risk and ensure no presence in our processes in factories.
Itiwit in collaboration with the Welding Process, has eliminated the 24 ortho-phthalates, including the DINP from all their stand up paddles and kayaks.

Lead substance is very hazardous for humans and the environment. Long term risk of exposition to lead induce impact on reproduction and children development. Besides that, it is very toxic for the environment from very low concentrations.

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.