25 november 2015

4sustainability at the table of ZDHC

The keyword is engagement: of the supply chain, brands and organizations

4sustainability, the network established by Brachi and Process Factory to support the companies in their sustainability policies, participated in the Fall Meeting of Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), by accepting the invitation for the session of works scheduled in San Francisco from November 18 to 20.

The privilege is for the few and is all the more significant if we consider the debut of ZDHC as Foundation.  ZDHC took the opportunity to open its doors not only to brands, but also to those consulting firms that have distinguished themselves for competence, by sharing the commitment to cut the use of hazardous chemicals in production processes.
In San Francisco, Giulio Lombardo and Francesca Rulli have represented 4sustainability and Italy, as well as the network’s founding companies.

Excite & Engage is the claim with which Frank Michel, Executive Director of ZDHC, opened the debate, by reminding to brands the mission of the Foundation of creating the widest possible convergence about the key objective to eliminate harmful chemicals from the various production stages. The right way is to engage companies through debate, make every challenge exciting and turn it into a driving force for development.

But what are these challenges? Four Key Focus Areas have been identified, plus two Cross Cutting Areas that are functional to the implementation of the projects.

Key Focus Areas
Manufactoring Restricted Substances List (MRSL)
Audit Protocol
Research
Wastewater Control

Cross Cutting Areas
Data and Disclosure
Training

The principle of engagement evoked by the claim was the subject of numerous reflections, all addressed to extend the debate to the supply chain.
The practical approach of the different working groups, each dedicated to the above Key Areas, has meant that the debate has focused on the most useful tools to achieve the objectives, as well as on cross-cutting activities  such as training and gathering, processing and communication of data to all stakeholders: brands, supply chain, chemical manufacturers, associations, etcetera.

According to Giulio Lombardo, Sales & Marketing Director of Brachi Group, «the goal is to achieve shared rules of conduct. Brands must make more efforts in this direction, but the path is marked and must point to a common code of certain rules that everyone will be called to respect».
«San Francisco taught us that brands are actually engaging», said Francesca Rulli, Sustainability Manager of Process Factory and 4sustainability. «We noted the willingness to define realistic solutions that can be immediately applied, supporting the supply chain so that it becomes an active part of the change process».

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