The principal use of ADCA (azodicarbonamide) is in the production of foamed plastics as a blowing agent. The thermal decomposition of azodicarbonamide produces nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia gases, which are trapped in the polymer as bubbles to form a foamed article, such as flip flops, EVA foams, footwear soles, yoga mats, or foam insulation.

Previously ADCA (azodicarbonamide) was added to the ZDHC MRSL V2.0 Candidate List but now has been moved to ZDHC MRSL in V3.1. This means that the intentional use of ADCA in a chemical formulation or use of ADCA on-site by a supplier will be deemed as a non-conformance to the ZDHC MRSL V3.1. However, ZDHC acknowledges that despite the advancement in alternative approaches, there are some footwear processes and products where the use of ADCA is prevalent and the industry requires time to phase out ADCA. In such cases, the ZDHC guidance ensures that exposure to workers is minimized and emissions are controlled with proper measures.

If ADCA is used on-site, a facility should ensure proper exposure and emission controls. However, if a facility purchases a pre-formed EVA sheet to be used in footwear components, then this EVA and EVA components are out of the scope of the ZDHC MRSL but will need to meet brand RSL requirements. Only EVA manufactured on-site by a footwear facility is in the scope of the ZHDC MRSL and must meet the MRSL requirements.

ADCA (azodicarbonamide) is included within the ZDHC MRSL V3.1, therefore any intentional use will be reported as a non-conformance within the Performance Incheck report.

Note: The use of such non-MRSL conformant chemical inventory will be assessed through the ZDHC MRSL Module on the Supplier Platform, which is currently a work in progress.