This article explains what the outcome shown on your ClearStream Report means, how it is determined, and what you should do next — regardless of whether all parameters met the requirements.

01/ Introduction

Once you accept your test results, the ZDHC Gateway generates your ClearStream Report and displays a summary of your testing outcome. The outcome is expressed per parameter — not as a single binary label. This article explains how to interpret the results and why a ClearStream cycle in which some parameters do not meet the requirements is still a valid and complete submission.

02/ What the results mean

After you accept your results in Step 6, Step 7 — ClearStream & next steps — shows a summary of your test results. This includes:

• The total number of parameters tested.
• The number of parameters that met the requirements.
• The number of parameters that did not meet the requirements.
• Your conformance rate.
• The overall outcome label.

For conventional parameters, the result for each parameter either meets the requirements or does not meet the requirements — based on whether the detected value falls within the applicable limit at the Foundational, Progressive, or Aspirational tier.

For ZDHC MRSL parameters, the result is either detected or not detected — there is no tiered limit, only the presence or absence of a substance. Do not apply meets/does not meet language to ZDHC MRSL results.

Note: Having one or more parameters that did not meet the requirements does not mean your ClearStream participation was invalid, rejected, or that you have failed an audit. It means that at least one tested parameter exceeded the permitted limit and requires attention.

03/ ClearStream is a continuous improvement tool

ClearStream is designed as a continuous improvement process — not a binary certification. The outcome label reflects the compliance status of your wastewater discharge at a point in time. It is expected that some parameters may not meet requirements in earlier testing cycles, and the programme is structured to support suppliers in identifying issues and taking corrective action over time.

The value of ClearStream is in the detail: which parameters did not meet their limits, by how much, and what steps you are taking to address them. This information is available to your connected brands and stakeholders, and it is far more meaningful than the top-level outcome label alone.

04/ What to do if parameters did not meet the requirements

Parameters that do not meet the requirements do not lock any steps or prevent you from completing the ClearStream cycle. You can still download your report and share it. However, you are strongly encouraged — and may be required by your brand partners — to complete a root cause analysis and corrective action plan (RCA/CAP) for each parameter that did not meet the requirements.

The RCA/CAP tool allows you to document, for each non-conformant parameter:

• The root cause of the exceedance.
• The corrective action you are taking.
• A planned resolution date.
• Evidence of the action taken.

This documentation, visible to your connected brands alongside the ClearStream Report, demonstrates that you are actively addressing the issue.

See Getting started with root cause analysis and corrective action plan for full guidance.

05/ What brands and stakeholders see

Connected brands with wastewater (WW) data sharing enabled can see your ClearStream results, the detailed parameter breakdown, and any RCA/CAP entries you have submitted. The combination of test results and corrective action documentation provides brands with a complete picture of suppliers' wastewater performance and their response to parameters that did not meet requirements.

Tip: Completing RCA/CAP entries for parameters that did not meet requirements — even before all corrective actions are resolved — shows brands that you are actively managing the issue.

06/ Tips & Notes

Tip: You can also add RCA/CAP entries for parameters that met the requirements if you want to document improvement steps for parameters where the detected value was close to the limit or where you are working towards a higher performance tier (for example, from Foundational to Aspirational).

Note: ZDHC's competence centre guidelines determine the overall outcome label. If you have questions about how the outcome was determined or believe there may be an error, contact ZDHC customer support.