The world’s largest zipper manufacturer is taking the next step toward more responsible production.

This week, YKK Corporation joined ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) as a Signatory Supplier to contribute to advancing chemical management across the apparel industry.

ZDHC is a global organization centered on the textile and apparel industry, with the objective of eliminating hazardous chemicals from manufacturing processes and promoting the responsible management of chemicals. A Signatory Supplier is a manufacturer that commits to eliminating hazardous chemicals by implementing the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) and Roadmap to Zero Program standards. These suppliers work collaboratively to adopt sustainable chemical management practices to protect workers, consumers and the environment.

Other Signatory Suppliers include Advance Denim, Arvind, Candiani Denim, Dystar, Isko, Inditex, Levi Strauss & Co. and Primark.

While YKK says its standards for products and manufacturing processes already align with ZDHC’s publicly available policies, the company emphasized that common, industry-wide standards is critical to strengthening occupational safety and reducing environmental impact across manufacturing processes.

“Challenges related to chemicals used in manufacturing processes cannot be fundamentally addressed by the efforts of a single company alone. By joining ZDHC, we aim to further strengthen collaboration with our customers, suppliers, and verification bodies, and to steadily advance improvements in chemical management toward the realization of a circular economy,” said Mai Mizubayashi, YKK Corporation’s vice president, sustainability department.