H&M Group: Chemical Restrictions

H&M is a clothing manufacturer and retailer that actively works to limit the use of harmful chemicals in all products.

The aim is not to use hazardous chemicals in production or in products. The minimum requirement here is the existing regulations in the countries of sale. The H&M group has maintained a list of restricted chemicals since 1995, which has been continuously updated since then. The H&M group's suppliers are contractually obliged to comply with this list.

The H&M group is a member of a brand-driven collaboration to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in the apparel and footwear supply chain, Apparel and Footwear RSL Management (AFIRM). They are also signatory members of Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC). Chemical restrictions for textiles are aligned with both the AFIRM Restricted Substance List and the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL). In addition, there are some substances that the H&M group is strategically phasing out or will phase out. This is based on precaution or due to legal requirements in the markets where H&M operates. In order to ensure that the list of banned substances is complied with, H&M states that it regularly has tests performed on the products by mainly third-party laboratories. 

H&M compiled restriction lists, in addition to the ZDHC MRSL, for 11 different product groups (packaging, apparel/accessories/footwear/home products, food contact products, candles, hardline, chemical products, toys, electrical and electronic products, and batteries, medical devices and aerosol dispensers).

Please also check the original source for recent updates.

H&M Group Chemical Restrictions