The ZDHC Programme is creating a new standard in wastewater discharge that goes beyond regulatory compliance to ensure wastewater discharge does not adversely affect the environment and surrounding communities.  As a first step towards this, the programme published a literature review of current wastewater discharge standards applicable to the textile industry.This study established a baseline on which to develop a revised global industry guideline.  The ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines set a unified expectation on wastewater quality for the entire textile and footwear industry