ZDHC Names 21 Brands to Champion Status
The 2026 Brands to Zero report highlights significant improvements in chemical management practices among major retailers.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Consumer Goods
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ZDHC has identified 21 brands as achieving Champion Level in its 2026 Brands to Zero assessment, an increase from 15 in the previous cycle. The assessment, conducted by KPMG Netherlands, tracks improvements in corporate governance and supply-chain performance.
Why it matters
The report underscores a growing industry commitment to transparency and safer chemical handling, with major brands increasingly mandating and monitoring supplier compliance data. These metrics are critical for tracking progress toward global chemical safety standards by 2030.
The number of brands requiring suppliers to provide ZDHC InCheck data rose to 91 percent from 75 percent, while 74 percent now actively follow up on chemical management compared to 60 percent previously.
The players
ZDHC
The ZDHC Foundation works to eliminate hazardous chemicals from the global textile, apparel, leather, and footwear industries.
KPMG Netherlands
This firm is a member of the global KPMG network providing audit, tax, and advisory services.
The details
The Brands to Zero assessment evaluates global brands based on their corporate governance and supply-chain performance metrics. Brands utilize the ZDHC Gateway to gain access to detailed factory chemical inventory and wastewater performance data.
Timeline
The Brands to Zero report was released in 2026.
The organization set 2030 as the target year for reaching global chemical conformance goals.
Market Landscape
This assessment accelerates a shift toward industry-wide accountability, pressuring companies to move beyond surface-level policies to verified supply-chain data. It positions high-performing brands against competitors by setting a standardized benchmark for chemical safety.
Consumers can expect more consistent product safety information as brands integrate stricter chemical management requirements into their supply chains. These changes often influence long-term brand reliability and the availability of sustainably produced goods.
The takeaway
The rise in Champion Level brands indicates that rigorous chemical data monitoring is becoming a baseline expectation for major market players. Companies that fail to adopt these transparent tracking systems may struggle to keep pace with the industry's 2030 compliance goals.
Further reading
For broader insights on industry standards, explore the latest trends in Consumer Goods.
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Do you trust that major brands are committed to sustainable practices throughout their global supply chains?
