SGS Reminds Apparel, Footwear and Home Textile Manufacturers of the Value of Higg Index FEM V3 Verification
Apparel, Footwear and Home Textile Manufacturers are reminded of the benefits of verifying scores to the Higg Index FEM V3 program for encouraging better sustainability performance.
- (1888PressRelease) October 31, 2018 - In November 2017, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) released Higg Index Facilities Environmental Module (FEM) Version 3. This contains several updates, including:
Applicability test in water use, wastewater, air emissions and chemical management sections
Facilities must complete Level 1 to unlock Levels 2 and 3
ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals), OIA and SAC chemical management are integrated into the seven sections of V3
The Higg Index has been created by SAC, a non-profit organization covering the apparel, footwear and home textile industries, with the vision of creating a self-assessment tool to measure sustainability performance in these industries. Higg FEM is one module, containing practical, qualitative questions to assess the environmental performance of sustainable development, with the objective of pushing manufacturers to improve their performance. It is made up of seven sections:
Environmental Management System
Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Air Emissions
Water Use
Wastewater
Waste Management
Chemicals Management
Beyond self-assessment, facilities can also get their scores independently verified by approved organizations like SGS. There are several benefits to receiving verification, not least the improved trust it creates among customers and other economic operators in a supply chain.
Verification must be carried out in accordance with SAC Higg verification protocols. It is conducted on an announced or semi-announced basis, and can be carried out onsite or offsite, although an offsite verification cannot be shared publicly. Stakeholders should also note: a facility using chemicals as part of its production can only access Level 2 and/or 3 following onsite assessment by an approved chemical specialist verifier. Finally, assessment will cover all areas of the facility under the same business license.
Higg Index FEM V3 must be completed annually. It runs from January to December each year and, following verification, provides a score based on the percentage of completed applicable questions, giving an evaluation of the environmental performance of the facility.
Benefit of verification:
Other benefits of undertaking Higg Index self-assessment include:
Better awareness of sustainability
Instigates continuous improvements
Helps streamline processes
Encourages new business verified score can be presented to multiple customers
Reduces replication and need for additional site inspections
Saves time and money
SAC currently has over 200 members, including brands and manufacturers, retailers and government organizations, trade organizations, non-profit organizations, universities and service providers such as SGS. SGS formed a strategic partnership with SAC in 2013, becoming a member of the Steering Technical Committee. SGS has also been directly involved in the development of Higg V2 and V3 content and verification protocols, as well as steering convergence of Chemical Management for Higg V3. In addition, we are a technical reviewer for the new How to Higg Manual and Higg V3 verifier training content. In recent months, SGS has been invited to join the Higg Facilities Advisory Council, the replacement for the Higg steering committee that will drive the development of the Higg Facilities Social and Environmental Modules.
To learn more: https://apparelcoalition.zendesk.com/hc/en-us
SGS Environmental Audit Services
SGS offers a range of services to help companies develop and manage comprehensive programs related to better environmental sustainability. In addition to assessment, they also offer training, monitoring, coaching and certification solutions tailored to the need of each facility. Learn more about SGSs Environmental Audit Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/audits/environmental-audit-services]
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Higg Index FEM V3 Program: An Introduction SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2018/10/safeguards-13918-higg-index-fem-v3-program-an-introduction]
Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.
For further information contact:
Yolanda Wang
Project leader
Tel: +86-0512- 62992336
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/sas
About SGS
SGS is the worlds leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 95,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,400 offices and laboratories around the world.
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