All the solvents listed in the ZDHC MRSL V3.1 are banned from intentional use in commercial chemical formulations with effect from 1st Nov 2023. The formulations based on these listed solvents will always need to conform to ZDHC MRSL V3.1 limits for unintentional impurities. Some of these solvents have been moved from the Candidate List to the Main List to accelerate the industry’s drive toward their phase-out and the shift to safer alternatives. During this phase-out period, the use of these solvents must be done with proper emission and exposure controls at the manufacturing site in order to ensure worker health and safety. The marking of such solvents as 'EC' in the ZDHC MRSL V3.1 exactly conveys this. It is an expectation from the industry to responsibly use these solvents while making all efforts to phase them out and replace them with MRSL-conformant products.

To support the “EC” requirement stipulated in the ZDHC MRSL V3.1, ZDHC has published the “Responsible Solvent Approach Guide V1.0” document to support suppliers in not only implementing chemical management best practices to control the emission and exposure to workers but also provide information on safer alternatives to eliminate or substitute these solvents.

Chemicals listed in the ZDHC MRSL V3.1 marked as ‘EC’

There are eight chemicals that are marked with 'EC' in the ZDHC MRSL V3.1.

ZDHC encourages suppliers to find safer alternatives (in terms of compliant chemicals, processes, or technology) with some future deadline. ZDHC does not condone the use of these substances but understands the need for a transitional period, whilst safer suitable alternatives are found. Facilities when using these EC-marked chemicals during such a transition period must follow the guidance in the ZDHC Responsible Solvents Approach Guide V1.0.