HIGG FSLM & HIGG FEM Audits

The Higg Index enables and encourages brands, retailers, and manufacturers to become transparent by communicating clear, comparable, and meaningful sustainability scores publicly. Using one common language to share sustainability efforts will allow consumers to make better-informed purchasing decisions.

Higg Index transparency will ensure accountability and enable the apparel industry to thrive responsibly. To support members as they become more transparent, the SAC will provide communication toolkits that offer guidelines and support for transparency.

The FEM audit program focuses on these elements:

• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Energy use
• Water pollution
• Deforestation
• Hazardous chemicals
• Animal welfare
• Environmental management systems
• Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
• Water use
• Wastewater
• Emissions to air (if applicable)
• Waste management
• Chemical use and management

The labour module looks at labour standards including:-

• Child labour
• Discrimination
• Forced labour
• Sexual harassment and gender-based violence
• in the workplace
• Non-compliance with minimum wage laws
• Bribery and corruption
• Working time
• Occupational health and safety
• Responsible sourcing

Verifying your Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) starts with a self-assessment, whichimproves the credibility and comparability of your sustainability scores, giving you better information for benchmarking and goal setting.

Then a General Specialist evaluates a factory’s Higg FEM self-assessment. And if necessary a Chemical Specialist verifier reviews any chemical process applicable.

You then are able to schedule an onsite verification assessment, during which the self-assessment will be evaluated.

Once you received the finalized report, you are able to upload it to the Higg Platform.

Higg FEM Verification is not a pass/fail audit; it’s simply a means to verify you understood and answered your Higg FEM self-assessment questions correctly. There are no corrective action plans or follow-up visits.

SAC members are committed to using Higg FEM to evaluate facility environmental performance. Verified scores provide them the trusted information they seek, reducing the need for multiple, proprietary audits.

In addition to increasing trust in the Higg Index score provided by a factory, using the self-assessment questionnaire will raise awareness of sustainability and act as a driver for continuous improvement. The scheme streamlines the process of finding new business. Importantly, SAC members must accept each other’s reports. Higg Index verification from International Associated Limited reduces duplication of effort.

An independently verified score can be presented to multiple suppliers/customers with confidence. It also reduces the need for additional site inspections, saving management time and money. On completion, the factory can post and share its Higg index verification results on an online platform ( Higg.org) and share it with brands and retailers. Note: it cannot be shared publically.

Each factory must complete the FEM module on an annual basis. Higg FEM evaluates the environmental performance of the factory in each natural year from January to December The Higg FEM verified score is based on the percentage of completed applicable questions.