We provide comprehensive MRSL testing services for the textile, apparel, and footwear industries, ensuring compliance with industry standards. As a recognized third-party certifier, we certify chemical companies at various conformance levels, promoting transparency and responsible chemical management throughout supply chains.
Our MRSL testing services
We offer chemical formulation testing services for apparel, textile, footwear and leather manufacturers to help assure supply chains does not contain banned and hazardous substances identified by industry initiatives like the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme and various state and regional consumer product safety organizations. MRSL testing ensures that chemicals are ZDHC-compliant and/or align with sustainability goals of brands/ retailers.
What is the ZDHC MRSL?
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) MRSL is a comprehensive list of chemical substances that are prohibited from intentional use during the processing of textile materials, leather, rubber, foam, adhesives, and trims within the textile, apparel, and footwear industries. The term "intentional use" refers to the deliberate incorporation of a chemical into a product to achieve specific aesthetic or functional characteristics.
The ZDHC MRSL aims to promote safer manufacturing practices by addressing the use of hazardous chemicals at the source, rather than merely focusing on finished products. This proactive approach not only enhances consumer safety but also protects workers, local communities, and the environment from the harmful effects associated with these substances.
The MRSL is part of the broader ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme, which provides guidelines and resources for brands, suppliers, and manufacturers to manage chemical usage responsibly throughout their supply chains. The list is regularly updated to reflect new findings and emerging hazardous substances.
ZDHC MRSL Conformance Levels
The ZDHC MRSL consists of three conformance levels, each indicating the degree of compliance with the MRSL standards for chemical formulations used in the textile, leather, and footwear industries.
- MRSL Level 1: Document review of SDS for information relevant to ZDHC MRSL and testing of the formulation which includes screening and analytical testing or only analytical testing.
- MRSL Level 2: On-site assessment of management systems plus evidence that Level 1 principles of analytical evaluation for ZDHC MRSL conformance are fulfilled.
- MRSL Level 3: Chemical hazard assessment capability plus evidence that Level 1 and Level 2 principles for ZDHC MRSL conformance are fulfilled.
We can certify against ZDHC MRSL at all levels
We are ZDHC-approved third-party certifier and capable of certifying chemical companies’ MRSL Level 1, 2 and 3 conformances against ZDHC’s MRSL Version 3.1. We can demonstrate your conformance on the ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module, an online chemistry database that provides safety and sustainability information about chemicals registered in the database.
Intertek tests against the MRSL conformance guidance and assures compliance of the test data with the Quality Assurance and Quality Control requirements. The MRSL conformance can also be assured by onsite audit and assessing companies' ability in demonstration the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) criteria on chemical formulation.
Benefits
- Ensure MRSL Data Integrity: Improve the reliability and compliance of MRSL test data through our stringent Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes.
- Verify Chemical Safety: Expert Safety Data Sheet (SDS) review to confirm the accuracy and safety of chemical formulations.
- Enhance Supply Chain Transparency: Gain clear visibility into the chemical formulations used throughout your supply chain, fostering trust and accountability.
- Proactive Chemical Restrictions: Implement chemical restrictions early in the manufacturing process, moving beyond finished goods testing to prevent hazardous chemical use.
- Drive Hazardous-Free Chemical Adoption: Encourage garment and footwear facilities to utilize safer alternatives, promoting a cleaner, more sustainable supply chain and responsible chemical management.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MRSL restricts chemicals from intentional use during manufacturing processes, aiming to prevent harmful substances from entering the supply chain at the source. In contrast, the RSL specifies which hazardous substances are banned or restricted in finished products, ensuring consumer safety through testing of final goods. Together, they ensure safety and sustainability in the textile and apparel industry by managing chemical risks at both production stages.
The ZDHC Gateway – Chemical Module is an online chemistry database designed to help businesses in the textile, leather, and footwear industries make informed sourcing decisions regarding chemicals. This platform provides comprehensive safety and sustainability information about registered chemicals, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and their compliance levels with the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).
The Chemical Module enables companies to verify whether the chemicals they use are Chemical Module with ZDHC MRSL requirements, thus promoting responsible chemical management throughout the supply chain. It allows certified chemical companies to upload their MRSL-compliant product portfolios, facilitating transparency and easier access to safer chemical alternatives for manufacturers and brands.
Companies need to recertify their ZDHC MRSL compliance at the end of the validity period. After this period, recertification is required, which includes additional testing and re-audits where necessary. This process ensures that chemical formulations continue to meet the updated standards set by the ZDHC MRSL, promoting ongoing compliance and safety in the manufacturing process.
The GHS criteria refer to the standards set by the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This system provides a consistent framework for classifying chemicals based on their physical, health, and environmental hazards. The GHS aims to enhance safety by ensuring that information about these hazards is communicated clearly through labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Intertek's Total Chemical Assurance solutions support brands in eliminating harmful chemicals from supply chains through testing, auditing, and training, leveraging technology like ToxClear and ZDHC Gateway for enhanced sustainability.
