Hohenstein and Scivera have streamlined the process for suppliers to assess and validate preferred chemicals and to improve formulations for apparel, footwear and home textiles.
The collaboration integrates software, certification and analytical testing to help suppliers improve and verify greener formulations. Brands taking action to move beyond the ZDHC Manufacturers Restricted Substance List (MRSL) compliance, including Levi Strauss & Co., will benefit from meeting ZDHC goals along with verified greener chemistries.
“Progressive brands and chemical suppliers are showing strong leadership that will positively impact our industry, consumer safety and the environment,” John Frazier, senior technical director at Hohenstein, said. “This is a systems approach to achieve then move beyond MRSL compliance to verified, greener chemistry.”
Engaging with Hohenstein or Scivera as their lead service provider, chemical suppliers can take advantage of the streamlined process to meet greener chemistry requirements for a growing number of brands. Formulations certified with Screened Chemistry through Scivera and conforming to ZDHC MRSL level 3 through Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex with Hohenstein can go beyond level 3 by assessing and verifying greener attributes.
“Greener chemistry means formulating and using chemistries that have verified, preferred characteristics to create safer conditions for workers, consumers and the environment,” said Joe Rinkevich, president at Scivera. “When applied together, the powerful tools offered by Hohenstein and Scivera remove barriers, enable continuous improvement and make greener chemistry attainable.”
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Hohenstein offers the Eco Passport by Oeko certification to manage and verify chemicals, dyes and auxiliaries. Following RSL/MRSL screening, analytical testing, feedback and assessments, certified chemicals are listed in the Oeko-Tex Buying Guide and pushed to the ZDHC Chemical Gateway at MRSL conformance levels 1, 2 or 3.
Scivera offers its globally accessible platform, SciveraLENS, to support its Screened Chemistry Scoring and Certification for hazard assessment of formulation ingredients and impurities. Through the platform, users evaluate the characteristics of individual chemicals and formulations for sourcing and formulation decisions, and preview these results to improve scores and avoid regrettable chemical substitutions.
With more than 40 offices and laboratories worldwide, Hohenstein is an international testing partner in the textile industry. Hohenstein’s research centers around the interaction between textiles, humans and the environment. It is a founding member and leading provider of the Oeko-Tex portfolio of services such as the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex certification, the international standard for safe textiles, and is certified by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission as a third-party, independent laboratory for CPSIA compliance verification.