The 2026 Brands to Zero Report examines how brands that have signed up to ZDHC are integrating sustainable chemical management into corporate governance and implementing it across their supply chains.
The assessment evaluates brands across corporate governance and supply-chain performance, with three levels — Pioneer, Accelerator and Champion — recognising different stages of implementation maturity. It is independently conducted by KPMG Netherlands.
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ZDHC said brands reaching Champion Level have embedded sustainable chemical management into corporate and purchasing processes, supported by implementation at scale and evidence from their supply chains.
The organisation added that the results show how progress is not determined by purchasing power alone, with governance, accountability, clear expectations and supplier relationships also playing a role.
While the results show positive momentum, one of the report’s most important insights concerns the difference between monitoring suppliers and actively supporting improvement.
The proportion of brands requiring suppliers to provide ZDHC InCheck data increased from 75% to 91%, while the proportion monitoring this data rose from 87% to 91%.
InCheck data provides information on chemical inventory conformance with ZDHC’s Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL), which sets requirements for chemical formulations used in textile, leather and footwear manufacturing.
Meanwhile, the proportion of brands actively following up with suppliers increased from 60% to 74%.
Although this represents progress, ZDHC said collecting and monitoring data does not automatically translate into improvements.
The report emphasises the need for brands to engage suppliers, understand barriers to implementation, support corrective action and ensure improvements are sustained.
It also calls for chemical management to be integrated into purchasing decisions, operational responsibilities and long-term supplier relationships, rather than treated solely as a compliance exercise.
ZDHC said: “ Brands can set expectations, but implementation takes place in manufacturing facilities, where chemical inventories are managed, production decisions are made, and wastewater performance is measured.
“A collaborative approach is therefore essential. Rather than treating supplier engagement as a compliance exercise, brands have an opportunity to build the capabilities and relationships that make continuous improvement possible.”
From commitments to measurable impact
The report also highlights the growing importance of reliable factory-level data as brands face increasing expectations around environmental transparency and sustainability reporting.
Through the ZDHC Gateway, brands can access primary factory data covering chemical inventory conformance and wastewater performance. The organisation said this information can help brands identify gaps, assess implementation and support improvement across their supply chains.
However, ZDHC cautioned that data from the Brands to Zero programme can support reporting and disclosure but does not independently fulfil every regulatory requirement.
It also stresses that sustainable chemical management requires collaboration across the value chain, including brands, suppliers, chemical formulators and solution providers.
ZDHC said shared guidelines and tools can help reduce fragmentation and support more consistent progress across global supply chains.
The organisation’s longer-term ambition is to achieve ZDHC MRSL conformance for 100% of chemical formulations used across the ZDHC community and 70% across the global industry by 2030.
ZDHC added: “Reaching these goals will require continued investment, stronger collaboration and a shared commitment to evidence-based improvement.”
