2016

Wastewater
Guidelines Draft V.3

The Zero Discharge of

Hazardous Chemicals
Programme

DRAFT

Signatory Brands

Value-Chain Affiliates

Associates

1
Contents

A Introduction 4 Appendix A
B Definitions and Abbreviations 6
C Scope 8 1. Limits and Test Methods for Targeted (Conventional and MRSL 22
D Disclaimer 10 Wastewater Parameters)

Guidelines Table 1: Conventional Parameters showing Foundational, 24

Progressive, and Aspirational Limits; and the Standard
A Three-Level Approach 12 Test Methods for Measurement
B Parameters and Limits 13 Table 2A: Alkylphenol (AP) and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEOs): 26
C Sampling 14 Including All Isomers
D Data Reporting 18 Table 2B: Chlorobenzenes and Chlorotoluenes 27
E Schedule 19 Table 2C: Chlorophenols 28
F Related Work, Relevant Organisations and Contributions 21 Table 2D: Dyes – Azo (Forming Restricted Amines) 29
Table 2E: Dyes – Carcinogenic or Equivalent Concern 30
Table 2F: Dyes – Disperse (Sensitising) 31
Table 2G: Flame Retardants 32
Table 2H: Glycols 32
Table 2I: Halogenated Solvents 33
Table 2J: Organotin Compounds 33
Table 2K: Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) 33
Table 2L: Phthalates – Including all other esters of phthalic acid 34
Table 2M: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) 35
Table 2N: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) 35

Appendix B

Process Flowchart to Remediate a Positive Result for 36

ZDHC MRSL Parameters

2 3
A. Introduction
Overview
The Zero Discharge of Hazardous
Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme represents
over 20 leading textile and footwear brands
committed to eliminating hazardous
chemicals from the global value-chain.
The purpose of the ZDHC Programme’s
Wastewater Guidelines is to define a
single, unified expectation concerning
wastewater discharge quality that goes
beyond regulatory compliance, not only for
conventional wastewater parameters, but
also for hazardous chemicals.
Currently, wastewater guidelines published
by different brands, as well as amongst
multi-brand consortia, vary greatly.
Furthermore, many current regulations
are far from requiring zero discharge of
hazardous chemicals.
The ZDHC Programme recognises the value
of addressing hazardous substances that
may be discharged into the environment
during the manufacture of materials used
in the textile and footwear industry. That is,
hazardous substances that could be used
deep within the value-chain and not just
those substances that could be present in
finished goods.
4 5
These guidlines build upon ZHDC’s
Manufacturing Restricted Substances
List (MRSL) which is a list of chemical
substances banned from intentional use in
facilities that process textile materials and
trim parts in apparel and footwear.
Prevention of water contamination requires
that facilities avoid the use of restricted
chemical substances by using chemical
formulations that conform to the ZDHC
MRSL. In addition, prevention of water
contamination also requires that facilities
ensure wastewater leaving the facility is
properly treated prior to discharge, or sent
to a well-operated central treatment facility.
ZDHC brands remain committed to the
target of zero discharge of hazardous
chemicals by 2020. As an important
step towards this goal, in 2015, the ZDHC
Programme commissioned a study to better
understand the regulatory landscape of
wastewater discharge regulations and
guidelines across the textile industry.
This report – Textile Industry Wastewater
Discharge Quality Standards Literature
Review – demonstrated the need for
uniform, global guidance pertaining to
wastewater discharge to enable a more
sustainable industry.
Objectives
These guidelines include analytical test Hazardous Chemicals and included in the
methods and sampling procedures, with ZDHC MRSL.
the ultimate objective of allowing ZDHC
brands1 and suppliers to share their testing These chemical groups have been peer
results in a systematic and efficient manner reviewed by independent third-party
via a ZDHC Portal. technical experts and industry associations
involved in the production of key raw
The expected outcomes of utilising these materials, and include:
guidelines are to:
1 | Alkylphenol (AP) and Alkylphenol
1 | Ensure wastewater discharge does not Ethoxylates (APEOs), including all
have an adverse impact on communities isomers
and the environment. 2 | Chlorobenzenes, Chlorotoluenes,
2 | Create a unified monitoring and testing 3 | Chlorophenols
programme to aid suppliers to 4 | Dyes
systemically and efficiently share 4.1 Azo (Forming Restricted Amines)
discharge data with consumers, 4.2 Carcinogenic or Equivalent
brands, and other interested agencies. Concern
3 | Reduce supplier operating costs 4.3 Disperse (Sensitising)
and increase operational efficiencies 5 | Flame Retardants
by eliminating gaps and redundancies 6 | Glycols
in wastewater testing and reporting 7 | Halogenated Solvents
requirements. 8 | Organotin Compounds
9 | Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated
These guidelines address conventional Chemicals (PFCs)
wastewater discharge parameters such as 10 | Ortho-Phthalates – Including all
pH, BOD, COD, etc, as noted in Table 1 in ortho esters of phthalic acid
Appendix A. 11 | Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
(PAHs)
These guidelines also address the original 12 | Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
priority chemical groups outlined in the 13 | Heavy Metals
Joint Roadmap to Zero Discharge of
1 Potentially also SAC brands and their suppliers, bluesign member brands, etc.
B. Definitions and Abbreviations Abbreviations

Definitions AOX Adsorbable organic halogens, where 'X' represents the halogens chlorine, bromine and iodine

AP Alkylphenol

APEOs Alkylphenol ethoxylates

Conventional Wastewater Parameters:
The notion of zero does not apply to
conventional physical wastewater
Pretreatment: The reduction of the amount
APHA American Public Health Association
of pollutants, the elimination of pollutants,
As Arsenic
or the alteration of the nature of pollutant ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

parameters such as temperature, pH, properties in wastewater prior to the BOD5 Biochemical oxygen demand (5 days)

biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen indirect discharge of the wastewater into a °C Degrees Celsius

CAS Chemical Abstracts Service (Registry Number)

demand, etc. ZDHC brands acknowledge centralised treatment plant.
Cd Cadmium
that those parameters are still relevant and
COD Chemical oxygen demand
very important for the textile and footwear Zero Discharge: For ZDHC brands,
Cr Chromium
industry. Therefore, these guidelines align zero discharge means not intentionally CWTP Centralised Water Treatment Plant

on those parameters with foundational, using hazardous chemicals. ZDHC brands DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Institute of Standards)

progressive and aspirational limit values. monitor zero discharge by testing DL Detection Limit

concentration of hazardous chemicals EN European norm

FTOH Fluorotelomer alcohols

Direct Discharge: A point source that in wastewater and comparing the
GC Gas chromatography
discharges a pollutant(s) to streams, lakes, results to inflowing water, also taking
GB Guojia Biaozhun (Chinese required national standard)
or oceans. Municipal and industrial facilities into consideration any background
GB/T Guojia Biaozhun/Tuījiàn, (Chinese recommended national standard)
that introduce pollution through a defined concentrations. Hg Mercury

conveyance or system such as outlet pipes HJ Chinese required environmental protection standard (Chinese industry standard)

are direct dischargers. ZDHC MRSL: Manufacturing Restricted HJ/T Chinese recommended environmental protection standard (Chinese industry standard)

Substances List developed by the ZDHC IPE Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs

ISO International Organization for Standardisation

Hazardous Chemicals: Compounds that Programme and ratified by the ZHDC mem-
KOH Potassium hydroxide
show intrinsically negative properties [(per- ber brands.
LC Liquid chromatography
sistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT); LWG Leather Working Group
very persistent and very bio-accumulative ZDHC Portal: Centralised data platform for mg/L Milligram(s) per litre

(vPvB); carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic storing and analysing water and wastewater ml Millilitre

for reproduction (CMR); endocrine disrup- test results for the ZDHC value-chain. µg/L Microgram(s) per litre

MS Mass spectrometry
tors (ED)].
MSMS Tandem mass spectrometry

N/A Not available

Indirect Discharge: The introduction of
N Nitrogen
pollutants into a wastewater treatment
facility not owned and operated by the
facility discharging the pollutants.

6 7
Abbreviations: • For direct discharge, all parameters covered by these guidelines apply.

P Phosphorous
• For indirect discharge, the coverage of these guidelines will be limited to ZDHC
PAHs Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
MRSL banned parameters (Table 2A-2N), recognising the requirements for
Pb Lead

PFCs Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals

conventional parameters are typically set at a local level by the receiving
Pt-Co Platinum-cobalt scale (colour index) wastewater treatment plant. However, in order to ensure full transparency in case of
RL Reporting Limit indirect discharge, the ZDHC Programme will ask suppliers who discharge into
SAC Sustainable Apparel Coalition
a third-party wastewater treatment system to publish:
TSS Total suspended solids
• the name and location of the receiving centralised wastewater
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
treatment plant;
VOC Volatile organic compounds

WWQ Wastewater quality

• the parameters and limit values agreed between the facility in question and
WWTP Wastewater treatment plant the receiving centralised wastewater treatment plant; and
• test results for the agreed parameters.

• The ZDHC Programme acknowledges that conventional parameters are also

relevant for the textile and footwear industry. ZDHC proposes foundational,
C. Scope progressive and aspirational limit values for conventional parameters as part of this
wastewater guidance document. Where local legislation and/or permits do not
cover one or more conventional parameters listed in these guidelines, the
• These guidelines apply to wastewater discharge from textile and footwear foundational level stated in these guidelines shall apply.
suppliers with wet processing facilities, including, but not limited to, textile
dyeing and finishing, fabric mills, washing/laundry facilities, printing operations, • Hazardous chemicals listed in the ZDHC MRSL are monitored by testing
vertical finished goods manufacturing, and fibre production. These guidelines do wastewater where it leaves the factory and optional testing of raw wastewater and
not intend to address wastewater beyond the property boundaries of the sludge produced from wastewater treatment operations. If hazardous chemicals
suppliers; and they are not intended to apply to third-party, off-site, centralised with concentrations that exceed the reporting limits stated in these guidelines are
wastewater treatement facilities not under direct control or ownership of the identified at the point of discharge at the facility boundary, the freshwater should be
material suppliers. tested for the same chemicals to determine if the freshwater is contributing
hazardous chemicals to the wastewater. Any additive concentration to the
• Wastewater discharge from raw material production such as cotton farming, background levels must be considered when pursuing zero discharge of hazardous
cattle ranching, polymer production, wool scouring etc, are considered out of scope. chemicals into the environment.

• These guidelines do not set specific limits for chemical concentrations in

sludge generated from on-site wastewater treatment operations. However,
test results for ZDHC MRSL/banned substances for sludge may be used as an
additional pass/fail indicator.

8 9
D. Disclaimer

1| The ZDHC Programme has prepared these guidelines as a guide to support

environmental stewardship initiatives. These guidelines are not intended to be
a statement of legal requirements. The ZDHC Programme makes no warranty,
expressed or implied, concerning the contents of these guidelines and assumes
no legal responsibility for its contents.

2| At a minimum, it is expected that wastewater discharges are consistently

compliant with the legal requirements and permits issued by the authorities
having jurisdiction over individual supplier facilities. Where stricter legal,
local or regional wastewater limits are in place, those limit values shall supersede
the limit values in these guidelines.

10 11
The Guidelines
3 | Sampling
A. Three-Level Approach 3.1 The number and type of sampling points for direct and indirect discharge follows
internationally accepted, recognised methodologies and defines the locations where
1 | As manufacturing facilities are not identical in terms of capabilities, knowledge, samples, including incoming water, need to be taken on a fixed frequency (at least twice
strategic priorities, and resources, these guidelines provide a three-level approach a year depending on production peaks). For more detail, refer to section C.
for wastewater discharge limits which is consistent with other collaborations,
including the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), the Sustainable Apparel 4 | ZDHC Accepted Laboratories
Coalition (SAC), and the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) to develop industry tools 4.1 ISO 17025 Accreditation.
and guidance. The intent is that suppliers are actively executing a continuous 4.2 Experience in wastewater testing.
improvement plan to reach the next level. 4.3 Passing an internal correlation test organised by the ZDHC Programme,
or one of the established ZDHC accepted laboratories1.
The three levels are:
Foundational: At a minimum, meets legal discharge requirements and ensures effective 5 | Data Reporting
control of ZDHC MRSL chemicals. 5.1 These guidelines seek to establish a unified reporting structure to simplify
Progressive: Demonstrates increasing knowledge of chemical management and and enable efficiency in reporting results to regulatory authorities, brands,
applies advanced wastewater treatment processes. and other relevant stakeholders.
Aspirational: Demonstrates best-in-class performance and strives for continuous 5.2 The suppliers discharging wastewater own their respective water and
improvement in both chemicals and wastewater treatment process knowledge; creates wastewater test reports and must authorise the disclosure of the data to the
industry best practices. ZDHC Portal.

2 | Test Methods B. Parameters and Limits

2.1 The test methods recommended are based on internationally recognised
standard water and wastewater testing methodologies as well as government 1 | The ZDHC Programme promotes water efficiency and expects suppliers to undertake best
recognised testing requirements in the European Union, the United States of practices in terms of water saving and water recycling. The use of fresh or clean water
America, and China. to dilute wastewater as a means for achieving the concentration limits stated within these
2.2 It is expected that the standard test method used is the one most applicable guidelines is prohibited.
for the region in which the wet manufacturing occurs.
2.3 For the ZDHC MRSL listed substances/substance group, generally recognised 2 | Wastewater parameters are classified into two categories:
tests methods are specified. 2.1 Conventional Parameters. These parameters, their reporting limits,
2.4 Reporting limits for the ZDHC MRSL substances/substance group stated within and standard methods
these guidelines are based on good laboratory practice criteria and capabilities for analysis are defined in Table 1 in Appendix A.
for achieving these reporting limits globally. ZDHC will consider updating these 2.2 ZDHC MRSL Parameters. These parameters, their reporting limits, and standard
guidelines over the next years and consider lower reporting limits as soon as methods for analysis are defined in Tables 2A - 2N in Appendix A.
those are achievable globally.
1 Accreditation process currently in development.

12 13
 3.2 (Optional) Incoming Freshwater
C. Sampling a. Freshwater shall be sampled at the point where the freshwater
enters the facility, and prior to any on-site treatment of the freshwater.
1 | This section outlines the recommended sample points to fulfill the requirements b. The intent of collecting this sample is to assist with point-source
of these guidelines. identification of hazardous chemicals in the event the wastewater test
results indicate a hazardous chemical above the reporting limits.
2 | Each facility is expected to develop facility-specific sampling procedures, documenting c. In the event that a wastewater sample analysis results in a hazardous
the locations of each of the sampling points. Documentation may include: Written chemical above the reporting limits outlined in Appendix A,
description within the documented procedures, photographs, or signs at the sample the freshwater sample shall be analysed to determine if the
locations identifying the points as sample points. freshwater is contributing to the hazardous chemicals identified in
the wastewater.
3 | Minimum Required Sampling Point Locations and Methods d. In the event that a wastewater sample analysis does not result in any
3.1 Discharged Wastewater hazardous chemicals above the reporting limit, this sample can be
a. Wastewater sampling shall occur at the most feasible location closest discarded without testing.
to the point where the wastewater leaves the property of the
manufacturing facility. 4| (Optional, but recommended) Sludge:
b. In the event that a facility has multiple permitted discharge locations, 4.1 Sludge analysis is considered another indicator of verifying MRSL compliance,
each discharge location shall have a sampling point, and sampling but limit values have yet to be determined.
shall occur independently at each sampling point in accordance
with these guidelines. 5| Sampling Methodology
c. For instances where sampling at multiple wastewater discharge 5.1 Wastewater and freshwater samples shall be collected as composite samples
locations occurs, each wastewater sample taken shall be tested following the general guidance in Standard Methods for the Examination of
independently of the others; at no time should the wastewater Water and Wastewater, 21st edition, Method 1060, Collection and Preservation
samples be blended. of Samples; or in accordance with applicable local or national standards.
d. Wastewater being sampled shall be of the same quality which is 5.2 To ensure representative samples, composite sampling should be performed
discharged to beyond the facility property boundary. for no less than eight hours, with no more than one hour between discrete
e. Alteration of the wastewater quality flow rate downstream of the samples. Each discrete sample shall be of equal volume. Sampling using
sampling point is prohibited. calibrated autosamplers is preferred, but in instances where national standards
do not require autosampling (for example, in Thailand and Mexico), laboratory
3.2 (Optional) Raw Wastewater personnel collecting samples are expected to meet the requirements of national
a. Sampling of raw wastewater for testing of ZDHC MRSL parameters standards.
may be added as an optional requirement by ZDHC brands. 5.3 Wastewater and freshwater samples should, as much as possible, be collected
Raw wastewater testing will give further insights into the usage of simultaneously.
ZDHC MRSL chemicals which may be diverted into the sludge during 5.4 Consult ISO 5667- 1, 3, 10, 13 and 15 Water Quality Sampling Guidance
wastewater treatment. for the preservation and handling of water samples.

14 15
 Sampling points for facility with indirect discharge; WWTP is
5.5 Samples shall be taken by a qualified third-party or by specially managed by third-party, or, optionally, company has pre-treatment
trained staff. (equalisation, buffering etc) on-site:
5.6 In no circumstance shall samples be taken during times when the
production process is not running or the wastewater is diluted due to
heavy rainfall, etc.
5.7 Suppliers are expected to allow for unannounced sampling by ZDHC
accepted laboratories.

Sampling points for facility with own WWTP

and direct discharge

6 | Minimum Reporting Frequency

6.1 Conventional Parameters
a. Semi-annually
b. Permit or regulatory requirements for more frequent sampling and
reporting may be required independent of ZDHC guidance.
c. In the event of more frequent sampling, the supplier is encouraged to
disclose the results from the additional sampling to ZDHC
in accordance with Section D below.
6.2 ZDHC MRSL Parameters
a. Semi-annually

16 17
D. Data Reporting

1| To optimise ZDHC wastewater testing, first test the sample of wastewater before 6.1 Notify
or after treatment. If there are no results above the reporting limit for MRSL a. Regional authorities for any permit/legal value excursion(s).
substances, then the wastewater is considered acceptable and no further testing for b. ZDHC brands and/or other customers and submit a corrective action
ZDHC MRSL parameters is required, until the next regularly scheduled wastewater plan with a defined completion date for resolution of the excursion.
testing date. 6.2 Upload the root cause analysis and corrective action plan to the ZDHC portal.
6.3 Re-sample in accordance with the flowchart provided in Appendix B.
2| In the event that a ZDHC MRSL parameter has a concentration above the reporting
limit, proceed with analysis of fresh incoming water to determine if: 7 | The ZDHC Programme will provide its contributor brands and affiliated organisations
1.1 The ZDHC MRSL parameter in the incoming water is above with access to extract this data and run reports on their respective suppliers.
the reporting limit (freshwater analysis).
1.2 All lab data from incoming freshwater and outgoing wastewater 8 | To enable widespread adoption of these guidelines, and to optimise wastewater
discharge shall be reported to the ZDHC Portal in case background sampling across the value-chain, the ZDHC Programme is collaborating with
concentration is indicated as the reason for MRSL substances above reporting other industry organisations such as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC),
limits in the wastewater. the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and the Institute of Public & Environmental
Affairs (IPE) to enable data sharing capabilities.
3 | Conventional parameter testing and reporting is required for the wastewater at
the final monitoring point at the facility where an onsite treatment plant is in place. 9 | The ZDHC Programme will make the wastewater test reports available to the public
via the ZDHC website. The reporting system is currently being developed and is set
4 | Facilities which discharge into centralised wastewater treatment plants, will be asked to launch end of 2016.
to disclose agreed limits of conventional wastewater parameters and relevant test
reports. E. Schedule

5 | After permission from suppliers, wastewater test reports from ZDHC-accepted 1 | It is expected that every supplier discharging wastewater has a license to
laboratories will be reported directly by laboratories to ZDHC brands via the ZDHC operate and is currently and continually compliant with legal, permitted limits
portal on the ZDHC website, making best use of available data standards. set by local or regional authorities.
For any additional testing that may occur (beyond these guidelines),
the manufacturing facility is encouraged to upload the data to the ZDHC Portal. 2 | Foundational limits for Conventional Parameters (Table 1) are expected to be already
met by suppliers upon publishing of these guidelines. If the foundational limits are
6 | In the event that a test report value either exceeds a foundational limit value for more restrictive than the supplier’s legal, permitted limits, suppliers are expected to
conventional parameters, or reporting limit for the ZDHC MRSL (as listed in meet compliance with foundational limits within a period of six months from the
Appendix A), or exceeds a legal permit limit, then the manufacturing facility is publishing of these guidelines.
expected to:

18 19
 F. Related Work, Relevant Organisations and Contributions
3| Progressive limits for Conventional Parameters (Table 1) are expected to be met
or exceeded by: Related Work
3.1 Brand new facilities, including wastewater treatment, that is operational 1| Joint Roadmap for Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals
after January 1, 2018. 2| World Health Organization – Making Water a Part of Economic Development
3.2 A current facility, but with a new onsite wastewater treatment facility 3| Textile Industry Wastewater Discharge Quality Standards Guidelines Literature Review
that is operational after January 1, 2018. 4| Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) Guidelines 2010
3.3 A current production facility that undergoes enhancement and/or expansion 5| ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List V1.1
that is operational after January 1, 2018.
3.4 An enhancement, expansion, or modification to an existing wastewater Relevant Organisations
treatment facility that is operational after January 1, 2018. 1| The International Organisation for Standardisation. http://www.iso.org/
2| Sustainable Apparel Coalition. http://apparelcoalition.org/
All facilities are encouraged to meet aspirational or progressive limits as early as possible 3| Leather Working Group. http://www.leatherworkinggroup.com/
and share best practices on how to achieve it. 4| Stockholm International Water Institute. http://www.siwi.org/
5| Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE). http://www.ipe.org.cn/
4 | Aspirational limits for Conventional parameters (Table 1) are expected to be met by 6| Solidaridad. http://www.solidaridad.nl/
January 1, 2020. Suppliers are encouraged to continuously improve to achieve one
of the following: With thanks to all contributors who have assisted in the development of these
4.1 Attain and demonstrate performance that meets or exceeds aspirational guidelines, including:
performance; or 1| Charlie He / Carollo Engineers Inc. http://www.carollo.com/
4.2 In the absence of aspirational performance, attain and demonstrate 2| Dr. Dirk Czarnowski, ITS. http://www.intertek.com/
progressive performance, and have a plan with deadlines in place to achieve 3| Dr. Thomas Schaefer / bluesign technologies. http://www.bluesign.com/
aspirational performance. 4| Mohan Seneviratne, IFC. http://www.ifc.org/
5| Prof. Danli Xi, Shanghai University. http://en.shu.edu.cn/
5 | Reporting limits for ZDHC MRSL parameters (Tables 2A to 2N) are expected to be fully 6| Nathan Zaugg / MWH Global. http://www.mwhglobal.com/
met by suppliers by January 1, 2020. From January 2018, ZDHC expects suppliers to be
able to provide evidence of a progressive phase-out schedule in order to reach the
2020 goal.

20 21
Appendix A

Limits and Test Methods for Targeted (Conventional and ZDHC MRSL) Wastewater
Parameters

Table 1: Conventional Parameter Limits and Test Methods

Table 2A: Alkylphenol (AP) and Alkylphenol Ethoxylates (APEOs), including all Isomers
Table 2B: Chlorobenzenes and Chlorotoluenes
Table 2C: Chlorophenols
Table 2D: Dyes – Azo (Forming Restricted Amines)
Table 2E: Dyes – Carcinogenic or Equivalent Concern
Table 2F: Dyes – Disperse (Sensitising)
Table 2G: Flame Retardants
Table 2H: Glycols
Table 2I: Halogenated Solvents
Table 2J: Organotin Compounds
Table 2K: Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs)
Table 2L: Phthalates – Including all other esters of phthalic acid
Table 2M: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Table 2N: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

22 23
 Limits Standard Test Method
Conventional Parameters + sum anions +
Table 1: metals (mg/L unless otherwise noted)
Foundational Progressive Aspirational ISO European Union United States China
Conventional parameters
showing foundational,
Temperature [°C] Δ15 or 35 Δ10 or 30 Δ5 or 25 No standard USEPA 170.1 GB/T 13195
progressive, and aspi-
rational limits; and the
TSS 50 15 5 ISO 11923 USEPA 160.2, APHA 2540D GB/T 11901
standard test methods
for measurement. It is
expected that suppliers COD 150 80 40 ISO 6060** USEPA 410.4, APHA 5220D** GB/T 11914**
will use the standard
methods that best apply
USEPA 351.2, APHA 4500P-J,
to their region. When Total-N 30 10 5 ISO 5663, ISO 29441 HJ 636, GB 11891
APHA 4500N-C
reporting data, state the
standard test methods
used to obtain the data. pH 6-9 ISO 10523 DIN EN ISO 10523 USEPA 150.1 GB/T 6920

ISO 7887 DIN EN ISO 7887 USEPA 110.1, USEPA 110.2,

Colour [Pt-Co] 150 50 10 GB/T 11903
(method D) (method D) APHA 2120B

ISO 5815-1, USEPA 405.1 (5 days),

BOD5 30 15 5 DIN EN 1899-1 (5days) HJ 505
-2 (5 days) APHA 5210B (5 days)

ISO 11732.
Ammonium-N 10 1 0.5 DIN EN ISO 11732 USEPA 350.1, APHA 4500 NH₃-N HJ 535, HJ 536
ISO 7150

ISO 11885,
Total-P 3 0.5 0.1 DIN EN ISO 11885 USEPA 365.4, APHA 4500P-J GB/T 11893
ISO 6878

AOX 5 1 0.1 ISO 9562 DIN EN ISO 9563 USEPA 1650 HJ/T 83-2001

Oil and Grease 10 2 0.5 ISO 9377-2 DIN EN ISO 9377-2 USEPA 1664 HJ 637

Phenol 0.5 0.01 0.001 ISO 14402 DIN EN ISO 14402 APHA 5530 B, C&D HJ 503

Coliform [bacteria/100 ml] 400 100 25 ISO 9308 DIN EN ISO 9308 USEPA 9132 GB/T 5750.12

Persistent Foam Not visible N/A

Anions

Sulfide 0.5 0.05 0.01 ISO 10530 APHA 4500-S2-D GB/T 16489

Sulfite 2 0.5 0.2 ISO 10304-3 DIN EN ISO 10304-3 USEPA 377.1

Metals

Antimony 0.1 0.05 0.005 GB7475, HJ700

Chromium, total 0.2 0.05 0.005 GB 7466, HJ700

Cobalt 0.05 0.01 0.005 HJ700

USEPA 200.7, USEPA 200.8.,
Copper 2 0.1 0.05 ISO 11885 DIN EN ISO 11885 GB7475, HJ700
USEPA 6010c, USEPA 6020a
Nickel 0.2 0.02 0.005 GB 11907, HJ700

Silver 0.1 0.01 0.001 GB11907, HJ700

Zinc 5.0 1.0 0.1 GB 7472, GB 7475, HJ 700

USEPA 200.7, USEPA 200.8,

Arsenic 0.05 0.01 0.005 ISO 11885 DIN EN ISO 11885 GB7475, HJ700
USEPA 6010c, USEPA 6020a

USEPA 200.7, USEPA 200.8.,

Cadmium 0.1 0.005 0.001 ISO 11885 DIN EN ISO 11885 GB7475, HJ700
USEPA 6010c, USEPA 6020a

Chromium (VI) 0.05 0.005 0.001 ISO 18412 DIN EN ISO 18412 USEPA 218.6 GB 7467

USEPA 200.7, USEPA 200.8., *Degrees above ambient

Lead 0.1 0.01 0.005 ISO 11885 DIN EN ISO 11885 GB7475, HJ700
USEPA 6010c, USEPA 6020a temperature of receiving
water body.

DIN EN ISO 18412 or USEPA 200.7, USEPA 200.8,

Mercury 0.01 0.001 0.0005 ISO 12846 or ISO 17852 HJ 597 ** validated cuvette methods
DIN EN ISO 17852 USEPA 6010c, USEPA 6020a
can be used alternatively

24 25
Reporting limits mentioned in the following tables (2A - 2N) apply to
Table 2B:
each single chemical substance of the respective substance group.
Chlorobenzenes and
Chlorotoluenes
Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test
CAS
stance Group (µg/L) Method
Table 2A:
1,2-Dichlorobenzene 95-50-1
Alkylphenol (AP) and
Alkylphenol Ethoxyl- 1,3-Dichlorobenzene 541-73-1
Substance or Reporting Limit Standard Test
ates (APEOs): Including CAS
Substance Group (µg/L) Method 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 106-46-7
All Isomers
1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene 87-61-6
104-40-5
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 120-82-1
Nonylphenol (NP), 11066-49-2
mixed isomers 25154-52-3 1,3,5-Trichlorobenzene 108-70-3
84852-15-3
NP/OP: ISO 18857 1,2,3,4-Tetrachloroben-
634-66-2
-2 (modified zene
140-66-9 dichloromethane
Octylphenol (OP), 1806-26-4 extraction) or ASTM 1,2,3,5-Tetracloroben-
634-90-2
mixed isomers 27193-28-8 D7065 (GC/MS or zene
LC/MS(-MS)
1,2,4,5-Tetrachloroben-
95-94-3
5 OPEO/NPEO: ISO zene
9002-93-1 18857 -2 or ASTM
Pentachlorobenzene 608-93-5
Octylphenol ethoxyl- 9036-19-5 D7065(LC/MS; GC/
ates (OPEO) 68987-90-6 MS or LC/MSMS for Hexachlorobenzene 1198-74-1
n=1,2)
2-Chlorotoluene 95-49-8
9016-45-9 APEO 1-18
3-Chlorotoluene 108-41-8
26027-38-3
Nonylphenol 37205-87-1 4-Chlorotoluene 106-43-4 USEPA 8260B,
ethoxylates (NPEO) 68412-54-4 8270D.
127087-87-0 2,3-Dichlorotoluene 32768-54-0
Dichloromethane
2,4-Dichlorotoluene 95-73-8 0.2
extraction
followed by GC/
2,5-Dichlorotoluene 19398-61-9
MS
2,6-Dichlorotoluene 118-69-4

3,4-Dichlorotoluene 95-75-0

2,3,6-Trichlorotoluene 2077-46-5

2,4,5-Trichlorotoluene 6639-30-1

Alpha,2,4-Trichlorotolu-
94-99-5
ene

Alpha,2,6-Trichlorotolu-
2014-83-7
ene

Alpha,3,4-Trichlorotolu-
102-47-6
ene

Alpha, alpha,2,6-tetra-
81-19-6
chlorotoluene

Alpha, alpha, alpha,

2136-89-2
2-,6-tetrachlorotoluene

Alpha, alpha,alpha,
5216-25-1
4-tetrachlorotoluene

Pentachlorotoluene 877-11-2

26 27
Table 2C: Table 2D:

Chlorophenols Dyes – Azo (Forming

Restricted Amines)
Substance or Substance Reporting Limit Standard Test Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test
CAS CAS
Group (µg/L) Method stance Group (µg/L) Method

Tetrachlorophenol (TeCP) 25167-83-3 4,4’-methy-

lene-bis-(2-chloro-ani- 101-14-4
line)
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) 87-86-5
4,4’-methylenedianiline 101-77-9

2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol 4901-51-3 4,4’-oxydianiline 101-80-4

4-chloroaniline 106-47-8
2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol 58-90-2 3,3’-dimethoxylbenzi-
119-90-4
dine

2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenol 935-95-5 3,3’-dimethylbenzidine 119-93-7

6-methoxy-m-toluidine 120-71-8
2-chlorophenol 95-57-8
2,4,5-trimethylaniline 137-17-7

4,4’-thiodianiline 139-65-1
2,4-dichlorophenol 120-83-2
4-aminoazobenzene 60-09-3
2,5-dichlorophenol 583-78-8 4-methoxy-m-phenyl- EN 14362.
615-05-4
enediamine
USEPA 8270 D. Reduction step
2,6-dichlorophenol 87-65-0 4,4’-methylene-
838-88-0 with Sodiumdi-
di-o-toluidine 0.1
Solvent extraction, thionite, solvent
derivatisation with 2,6-xylidine 87-62-7 extraction, GC/
2,4,5-trichlorophenol 95-95-4 0.5
KOH, acetic MS or LC/MS
anhydride followed o-anisidine 90-04-0
by GC/MS
2,4,6-trichlorophenol 88-06-2
2-naphthylamine 91-59-8

3,’3-dichlorobenzidine 91-94-1
3,5-dichlorophenol 591-35-5
4-aminodiphenyl 92-67-1

2,3-dichlorophenol 576-24-9 Benzidine 92-87-5

o-toluidine 95-53-4
3,4-dichlorophenol 95-77-2
2,4-xylidine 95-68-1

4-chloro-o-toluidine 95-69-2
3-chlorophenol 108-43-0
4-methyl-m-phenylene-
95-80-7
diamine
4-chlorophenol 106-48-9

o-aminoazotoluene 97-56-3
2,3,4-trichlorophenol 15950-66-0

5-nitro-o-toluidine 99-55-8
2,3,5-trichlorophenol 933-78-8

3,4,5-trichlorophenol 609-19-8

28 29
Table 2E: Table 2F:

Dyes – Carcinogenic Dyes – Disperse

or Equivalent Concern (Sensitizing)
Substance or Substance Reporting Limit Standard Test Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test
CAS CAS
Group (µg/L) Method stance Group (µg/L) Method

Disperse Yellow 1 119-15-3

C.I. Direct Black 38 1937-37-7
Disperse Blue 102 12222-97-8
C.I. Direct Blue 6 2602-46-2 Disperse Blue 106 12223-01-7

Disperse Yellow 39 12236-29-2

C.I. Acid Red 26 3761-53-3
Disperse Orange
13301-61-6
37/59/76
C.I. Basic Red 9 569-61-9
Disperse Brown 1 23355-64-8

C.I. Direct Red 28 573-58-0 Disperse Orange 1 2581-69-3

Disperse Yellow 3 2832-40-8

C.I. Basic Violet 14 632-99-5 Disperse Red 11 2872-48-2 Liquid
extraction, LC/
5000*
Disperse Red 1 2872-52-8 MS
C.I. Disperse Blue 1 2475-45-8 Liquid extraction,
5000*
LC/MS Disperse Red 17 3179-89-3

C.I. Disperse Blue 3 2475-46-9 Disperse Blue 7 3179-90-6

Disperse Blue 26 3860-63-7

C.I. Basic Blue 26 (with
2580-56-5 Disperse Yellow 49 54824-37-2
Michler’s Ketone > 0.1%)

C.I. Basic Green 4 Disperse Blue 35 12222-75-2

(malachite green 569-64-2
chloride) Disperse Blue 124 61951-51-7

Disperse Yellow 9 6373-73-5

C.I. Basic Green 4 * with reference
2437-29-8
(malachite green oxalate) Disperse Orange 3 730-40-5 to Detection Limit
C.I. Basic Green 4 mentioned in DIN
10309-95-2 Disperse Blue 35 56524-77-7
* with reference (malachite green) 54231:2005-11
to Detection Limit
mentioned in DIN Disperse Orange 11 82-28-0
54231:2005-11

30 31
Table 2G:

Flame Table 2I:

Retardants
Reporting Limit Standard Test Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test Halogenated Solvents
Substance or Substance Group CAS CAS
(µg/L) Method stance Group (µg/L) Method

Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate 1,2-dichloroethane 107-06-2 USEPA 8260B

115-96-8
(TCEP)
Methylene chloride 75-09-2 Headspace GC/
Decabromodiphenyl ether 1 MS or Purge-
1163-19-5 Trichloroethylene 79-01-6
(DecaBDE) and-Trap-GC/
MS
Tris(2,3,-dibromopropyl)-phosphate Tetrachloroethylene 127-18-4
126-72-7
(TRIS)

Pentabromodiphenyl ether
32534-81-9
(PentaBDE)

Octabromodiphenyl ether
32536-52-0
(OctaBDE)
Table 2J:
Bis(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate ISO 22032, USEPA
5412-25-9
(BIS) 527 and USEPA Organotin Compounds
8321B. Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test
CAS
Tris(1-aziridinyl)phosphine oxide) stance Group (µg/L) Method
545-55-1 5
(TEPA) Dichloromethane
extraction GC/MS
or LC/MS(-MS) Dibutyltin (DBT) Multiple
Polybromobiphenyls (PBB) 59536-65-1
Mono-, di- and
Multiple
tri-methyltin derivatives ISO 17353
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) 79-94-7
Mono-, di- and Derivatisation
Multiple 0.01
Hexabromocyclododecane tri-butyltin derivatives with NaB(C2H5)
3194-55-6
(HBCDD) GC/MS
Mono-, di- and
Multiple
tri-phenyltin derivatives
2,2-bis(bromomethyl)-1,3-propane-
3296-90-0
diol (BBMP) Mono-, di- and
Multiple
tri-octyltin derivatives
Tris(1,3-dichloro-isopropyl)
13674-87-8
phosphate (TDCP)

Short-chain chlorinated Paraffins

85535-84-8
(SCCP) (C10-C13)
Table 2K:
Table 2H: Perfluorinated and
Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test
CAS Polyfluorinated
Glycols stance Group (µg/L) Method
Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test Chemicals (PFCs)
CAS
stance Group (µg/L) Method
PFOS 355.46-4. 432-50-7 DIN 38407-42
(modified)
Bis(2-methoxyeth- PFOA 335-67-1
111-96-6
yl)-ether 0.01 Ionic PFC:
29420-49-3. Concentration
PFBS
2-ethoxyethanol 110-80-5 29420-43-3 or direct
injection, LC/
2-ethoxyethyl acetate 111-15-9 PFHxA 307-24-4 MS(-MS);
US EPA 8270
Ethylene glycol 8:2 FTOH 678-39-7
110-71-4 Non-ionic PFC
dimethyl ether Liquid
5000 (FTOH):
extraction, LC/ derivatisation
2-methoxyethanol 109-86-4
MS with acetic
1
2-methoxyethylacetate 110-49-6 6:2 FTOH 647-42-7 anhydride
followed by GC/
2-methoxypropylace- MS
70657-70-4
tate

Triethylene glycol
112-49-2
dimethyl ether

32 33
Table 2L: Table 2M:

Phthalates – Polycyclic Aromatic

Including all Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
other esters Reporting Limit Standard Test Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test
Substance or Substance Group CAS CAS
of phthalic (µg/L) Method stance Group (µg/L) Method
acid

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) 50-32-8

Di(ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) 117-81-7
Anthracene 120-12-7
Bis(2-methoxyethyl) phthalate
117-82-8 Pyrene 129-00-0
(DMEP)
Benzo[ghi]perylene 191-24-2
Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) 117-84-0
Benzo[e]pyrene 192-97-2

Di-iso-decyl phthalate (DIDP) 26761-40-0 Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene 193-39-5

Benzo[j]fluoranthene 205-82-3
Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) 28553-12-0
Benzo[b]fluoranthene 205-99-2 DIN 38407-39

Fluoranthene 206-44-0 Solvent

Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP) 84-75-3 1
US EPA 8270D, ISO extraction GC/
18856 Benzo[k]fluoranthene 207-08-9
MS
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) 84-74-2 10 Acenaphthylene 208-96-8
Dichloromethane
extraction GC/MS Chrysene 218-01-9
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) 85-68-7
Dibenz[a,h]anthracene 53-70-3

Benzo[a]anthracene 56-55-3
Dinonyl phthalate (DNP) 84-76-4
Acenaphthene 83-32-9

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) 84-66-2 Phenanthrene 85-01-8

Fluorene 86-73-7
Di-n-propyl phthalate (DPRP) 131-16-8
Naphthalene 91-20-3

Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) 84-69-5

Table 2N:
Di-cyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) 84-61-7
Volatile Organic
Substance or Sub- Reporting Limit Standard Test
CAS Compounds (VOC)
stance Group (µg/L) Method
Di-iso-octyl phthalate (DIOP) 27554-26-3

1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C7- Benzene 71-43-2

11-branched and linear alkyl esters 68515-42-4 ISO 11423-1
(DHNUP) Xylene 1330-20-7
Headspace- or
1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, o-cresol 95-48-7 1
Purge-and-
di-C6-8-branched alkyl esters, 71888-89-6 Trap-GC/MS
C7-rich (DIHP) p-cresol 106-44-5

m-cresol 108-39-4

34 35
Appendix B

Process Flowchart to Remediate a

Positive Result for ZDHC MRSL
Parameters

© 2016 Stichting ZDHC Foundation. All Rights Reserved.

36 37