Higg Index
The common language for sustainability
The Higg Index is a suite of tools for the measurement of value chain sustainability—developed by Cascale, formerly Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and hosted exclusively on Worldly.
Higg index FEATURES
What Is Higg Index
Introduction of Higg Index
The Higg Index is a self-assessment tool designed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to measure and evaluate the environmental and social sustainability performance of the apparel and footwear industry. It provides a standardized framework for companies to assess their impact across the entire supply chain.
The objective of the Higg Index
The primary objective is to:
- Standardize sustainability measurement: Create a common language and methodology for assessing environmental and social impacts.
- Improve transparency: Enhance visibility into supply chain practices and performance.
- Drive sustainability improvement: Identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
- Reduce environmental and social impacts: Ultimately contribute to a more sustainable apparel and footwear industry.
By using the Higg Index, companies can identify their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and take steps to reduce their environmental footprint and improve labor conditions.
Higg Index Criteria
This is a comprehensive tool, but its specific criteria vary depending on the module being used. However, there are overarching principles and categories that guide the assessments:
Core Criteria Across Modules
- Environmental Impact:
- Energy consumption
- Water usage
- Waste generation
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Chemical use and management
- Social and Labor Practices:
- Labor standards
- Worker safety
- Wages and benefits
- Working hours
- Freedom of association
- Material Sustainability:
- Material sourcing
- Material composition
- Recycling content
- Chemical content
Specific Criteria by Module
- Higg Facility Social and Labor Module (FSLM): Focuses on labor and working conditions within a manufacturing facility.
- Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM): Evaluates a facility’s environmental performance, including energy, water, waste, and chemical management.
- Higg Brand and Retailer Module (BRM): Assesses a brand or retailer’s overall sustainability performance across various areas, including supply chain management, product design, and marketing.
- Higg Product Module (HPM): Evaluates a product’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle, considering materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life stages.
- Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI): Focuses on the environmental impact of materials used in products, including water use, energy consumption, and chemical emissions.
Different Higg Index Standards
While the Higg Index doesn’t operate on a traditional “standards” model like ISO or other certification bodies, it does have a framework for measuring performance. This framework involves different modules and levels of assessment.
Higg Index Modules
The Higg Index is composed of several modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of sustainability:
- Higg Facility Social and Labor Module (FSLM): Assesses labor and working conditions within a manufacturing facility.
- Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM): Evaluates a facility’s environmental performance.
- Higg Brand and Retailer Module (BRM): Assesses the sustainability performance of brands and retailers.
- Higg Product Module (HPM): Evaluates the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle.
- Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI): Assesses the environmental impact of materials used in products.
Performance Levels
While not explicitly referred to as “standards,” the Higg Index does incorporate performance levels to benchmark progress. These levels typically range from basic compliance to industry leadership.
While the exact scoring methodology varies by module, the general idea is to provide a comparative assessment of a company’s performance against industry benchmarks.
Higg Index Registration and Rating Procedure
While there isn’t a formal “registration” process for the Higg Index itself, as it’s a self-assessment tool, there is a process to access the platform and tools.
- Company Onboarding: Companies interested in using the Higg Index typically need to register or create an account on the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) platform. This involves providing basic company information.
- Module Selection: Once registered, companies select the appropriate Higg Index module(s) based on their needs (e.g., FSLM, FEM, BRM, HPM, MSI).
Rating Procedure
The Higg Index rating process is primarily a self-assessment conducted by the company itself.
- Self-Assessment: Companies complete the selected Higg Index module(s) by answering questions and providing data related to their sustainability performance.
- Data Collection: This involves gathering information on various aspects such as energy consumption, water usage, labor practices, material composition, etc.
- Scoring: Based on the provided data, the Higg Index platform calculates a score for each module.
- Verification (Optional): Companies can choose to undergo a third-party verification process to validate the accuracy of their self-assessment. This is not mandatory but can enhance credibility.
Key Points:
- Self-Assessment: The core of the Higg Index process is self-evaluation.
- No Centralized Rating Body: Unlike traditional certifications, there isn’t a central authority that assigns ratings.
- Verification: While optional, verification can add credibility to the assessment.
Higg Index Benefits
The Higg Index isn’t just beneficial for the companies using it; it also provides advantages to a wider range of stakeholders.
Benefits for Stakeholders
Consumers:
- Increased transparency about product sustainability.
- Ability to make informed choices based on environmental and social impact.
- Confidence in the ethical sourcing of products.
Retailers and Brands:
- Improved supply chain visibility and risk management.
- Ability to compare suppliers based on sustainability performance.
- Enhanced brand reputation through association with sustainable products.
Investors:
- Reduced investment risk by identifying companies with strong sustainability practices.
- Ability to assess the environmental and social impact of their portfolio.
- Opportunities for investment in sustainable businesses.
Governments and Regulators:
- Data for policy development and regulation.
- Improved understanding of industry practices and environmental impacts.
- Promotion of sustainable business practices.
Industry Associations:
- Benchmarking data for industry performance.
- Identification of best practices and opportunities for collaboration.
- Support for industry-wide sustainability initiatives.
By providing a standardized framework for measuring sustainability performance, the Higg Index contributes to a more sustainable and transparent global supply chain.
Higg Professional Credentials
As of now, there are no specific Higg Professional Credentials offered by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC).
While the Higg Index is a widely used tool for assessing sustainability performance, the SAC primarily focuses on providing the assessment framework and tools rather than offering certifications for individuals.
However, there might be opportunities for professional development and training related to the Higg Index through third-party organizations or industry associations. These training programs could focus on:
- Understanding the Higg Index modules and methodology
- Data collection and analysis
- Interpretation of results
- Sustainability reporting based on Higg Index data
While not officially recognized as Higg Professional Credentials, these training programs can enhance an individual’s knowledge and skills in sustainability assessment and reporting.
Key Features of the Higg Index
The Higg Index is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to measure and assess the environmental and social impacts of the apparel and footwear industry. Its key features include:
- Standardized Assessment: Provides a consistent framework for evaluating sustainability performance across the supply chain.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Addresses various aspects of sustainability, including environmental impact, labor conditions, and material sustainability.
- Modular Structure: Offers different modules to cater to specific needs (e.g., facility, product, brand).
- Self-Assessment: Enables companies to evaluate their own performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Benchmarking: Allows comparison of performance against industry standards and peers.
- Transparency: Promotes transparency by providing data on sustainability performance.
- Continuous Improvement: Supports ongoing efforts to reduce environmental and social impacts.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Encourages involvement of stakeholders in the sustainability assessment process.
- Industry Collaboration: Fosters collaboration among industry players to drive collective progress.
By providing a common language and methodology for measuring sustainability, the Higg Index helps to drive positive change within the apparel and footwear industry.
Pros and Cons of Implementing the Higg Index
Pros of Implementing the Higg Index
- Standardization: Provides a common language and methodology for assessing sustainability performance.
- Improved Transparency: Enables companies to transparently communicate their sustainability efforts to stakeholders.
- Risk Mitigation: Helps identify potential environmental and social risks in the supply chain.
- Continuous Improvement: Promotes ongoing efforts to reduce environmental and social impacts.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Encourages involvement of stakeholders in sustainability initiatives.
- Competitive Advantage: Can differentiate companies with strong sustainability performance.
- Access to Markets: Some retailers and brands require Higg Index data as a prerequisite for doing business.
Cons of Implementing the Higg Index
- Cost and Time Intensive: Developing and maintaining Higg Index assessments can be resource-consuming.
- Data Collection Challenges: Gathering accurate and consistent data can be complex.
- Self-Reporting Bias: Reliance on self-reported data may lead to inaccuracies.
- Complexity: The Higg Index can be complex to understand and implement, especially for smaller companies.
- Limited Scope: While comprehensive, the Higg Index may not cover all sustainability aspects.
- Potential for Greenwashing: If not implemented with integrity, the Higg Index could be misused.
Overall, the Higg Index offers significant benefits for companies committed to sustainability, but it requires careful planning and execution to maximize its value and address potential challenges.
