How Eurofins | Chem-MAP Works

Follow the supply chain storyboard below to see how Eurofins | Chem-MAP engages businesses to encourage responsible chemical management in the production of consumer goods.

Chemicals and Consumers

Consumers are growing increasingly aware of the use of chemicals in the manufacture of retailed goods and the effects of harmful chemicals on factory workers and the environment. Consumer awareness has largely been driven through NGO campaigns, which aim to reduce the use of chemicals in the fashion industry.

Therefore, consumers are increasingly desiring more sustainably manufactured goods from brands and retailers who can verify the use of safer chemicals in production.

Chem-MAP is a system that will give consumers assurance that footwear, apparel, and accessories made from Textile, leather  and synthetic materials are manufactured using responsible chemistry.

Encouraging Responsible Chemical Management

Eurofins | BLC created Eurofins | Chem-MAP to encourage chemical companies, manufacturers, brands, and retailers to develop responsible chemical management systems for their supply chains.

Eurofins | Chem-MAP is a ZDHC approved verification system that analyses and authenticates supplied chemical formulations for textiles, leather and synthetic materials according to the ZDHC MRSL: A tool developed by ZDHC to achieve the objective of eliminating the use of hazardous chemicals in manufacturing.

Eurofins | Chem-MAP consists of three programmes that engage and meet the needs of chemical suppliers, manufacturers, brands and retailers as well as MRSL Testing for chemical companies and manufacturers.

To successfully prevent harmful chemicals from entering the supply chain, responsible chemical management begins with chemical companies.

Chemical Companies: ZDHC Conformance Level 3

Eurofins | Chem-MAP provides certification of chemical companies through completion of the Chemical Manufacturers Programme as well as the opportunity to gain ZDHC  MRSL V2.0 Conformance  Version 2, Level 1, 2 &3.

The Chemical Manufacturers Programme consists of three modules:

  1. MRSL Testing – to verify chemical formations to the ZDHC MRSL
  2. Chemical Management Audit – on-site audit of the chemical manufacturing facilities
  3. Chemical Supply Chain Transparency – on-site assessment and testing of raw materials

Chemical formulations that have been verified through Chem-MAP can be listed on the ZDHC Gateway; an online portal that manufacturers can access to purchase approved chemicals for use in the manufacture of consumer goods.

MRSL Testing: Verifying the Contents of Chemicals

Chemical companies and manufacturers of materials can verify the content of supplied chemical formulations through MRSL Testing.

MRSL Testing is carried out to either the leading industry standard, the ZDHC MRSL, or to a customer-specified MRSL; a standard that can be set by individual brands, retailers and manufacturers.

Forming a key element of Eurofins | Chem-MAP, MRSL Testing is present in the Chem-MAP Programme for chemical companies, but can also be carried out separately by manufacturers.

 

ZDHC compliant chemicals can be listed on the ZDHC Gateway.

Manufacturers: Using ZDHC Approved Chemistry

Eurofins | Chem-MAP equips manufacturers of textiles, leather, synthetic materials and products with the Approved Manufacturer of Materials status through completion of the Manufacturers and Materials Programme.

The Programme comprises of two modules:

  1. Chem-MAP Approved Technician (CAT) Award – an assessment based online chemical management training programme for staff
  2. Chemical Management Audit – an on-site audit of manufacturing facilities where the manufacturer can achieve the Chem-MAP Approved Manufacturer (CAM) Award

Manufacturers of textile, leather and synthetic materials can use Chem-MAP certified chemicals in their products, protecting workers who come into contact with these chemicals, as well as the environment from any hazardous discharge of chemicals.

Becoming an Approved Manufacturer of Materials signifies the manufacturer’s commitment to ZDHC objectives. This then enables brands and retailers to purchase items that have been produced by Approved Manufacturers of Materials from Certified Chemical Companies.

Brands & Retailers: Chemical Management

Eurofins | Chem-MAP supports brands and retailers of textile, leather and synthetic materials goods through the Brands and Retailer Programme. Engaging in this programme highlights the brands and retailers’ commitment to ZDHC objectives for implementing responsible chemical management in the supply chain.  The programme consists of two modules:

  1. Chemical Management Audit – an on-site audit of chemical management systems
  2. Benchmarking and Gap Analysis – a benchmarking and suitability check of the RSL and MRSL against industry leaders and best practice guidelines

Brands and retailers who participate in the Programme achieve a Chem-MAP score, starting from Chem-MAP Engaged and progressing to Chem-MAP Advanced. The use of Chem-MAP verified chemicals helps brands and retailers demonstrate chemical compliance within their supply chain and enables greater confidence in the safety of the related product. This commitment to responsible chemical management can be communicated to consumers and stakeholders by displaying Chem-MAP scores and having the brand and retailer logo displayed on the Chem-MAP website.

Contact the Chem-MAP® Team


Contact Form

    • +44 (0) 1604 679 999
    • chemmap@cpt.eurofinseu.com
    • Laboratory Address
      • Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd Kings Park Road, Moulton Park Industrial Estate Northampton, NN3 6JD, United Kingdom
      • Registered office address:
        i54 Business Park, Valiant Way,
        Wolverhampton, WV9 5GB, United Kingdom
      • Registration No. 07009052 (England)
        VAT Reg No. GB 977 8580 44
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