Sustainable chemical management firm ZDHC Foundation has unveiled the Air Emissions Module, a new tool designed to assist fashion brands and suppliers to lower emissions.

The Air Emissions Module allows businesses to evaluate and mitigate volatile organic compounds (VOC) and greenhouse gases (GHG).

Aligned with its Air Emissions Guidelines, this module is grounded in the Potential to Emit (PTE) methodology for VOCs and includes tracking for scope 1 and 2 GHGs.

The tool enables users to convert chemical inventory and operational data into insights for performance benchmarking, improvement initiatives, and adherence to sustainable chemical management practices.

ZDHC air emissions tool’s advantages for brands

According to ZDHC, its Air Emissions Module equips brands with the capability to sort suppliers based on their emission performance levels through PTE-VOC data analysis.

It also enables the identification and prioritisation of chemicals that emit the highest levels of VOCs for potential phase-out.

Additionally, the tool provides access to comparable data on scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions, which can be used to shape engagement strategies, stated ZDHC.

Furthermore, it offers a mechanism for brands to monitor their progress in meeting their own environmental standards or adhering to industry-wide initiatives such as the UN Fashion Charter for Climate Action (2021).

Advantages for suppliers

The module will provide a simple and economical approach for suppliers, allowing them to compute PTE VOC and GHG emissions by utilising readily available data, thus eliminating the need for expensive testing.

It also enables suppliers to concentrate on corrective measures, including the replacement of chemicals that emit high levels of VOCs, and to establish benchmarks as well as monitor advancements towards predefined objectives.

To implement the Air Emissions Module effectively, the ZDHC Foundation advises reviewing its Air Emissions Guidelines within the Suppliers Roadmap to Zero Programme.

It added that users should prepare their chemical inventory with Safety Data Sheets (SDS) details and energy consumption figures for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

After inputting this data into the module, users can analyse results, plan immediate actions for improvement, and align with ZDHC performance levels.

ZDHC Foundation said: “The Air Emissions Module moves you from measurement to immediate action, backed by a clear framework and phased adoption timeline. Together, we can improve air quality, strengthen chemical management, and drive measurable emissions reductions across the value chain.”