On November 14, 2024, HQTS was officially approved by SAC (Sustainable Apparel Coalition, now renamed Cascale) as a Higg FEM (Facility Environmental Module) verifier. With this recognition, HQTS is now authorized to conduct Higg FEM verifications, and its Higg ID is 186183.
What is Higg Verification?
Higg verification, formally known as Higg Index Verification, is a certification framework introduced by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) and developed by Higg Co. This system evaluates sustainability in the apparel, footwear, and textile industries. The Higg Index aims to help businesses better understand the importance of sustainability in production processes and provides consistent and reliable data to assess and improve their sustainability practices.
Founded in 2011, SAC is an industry alliance composed of brands, retailers, manufacturers, governments, NGOs, and academic experts, primarily representing the apparel, footwear, and home textile sectors. SAC is dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of products in these industries. Major service providers, including BV, SGS, and ITS, hold Higg verification qualifications. SAC has since rebranded as Cascale.
Note: As of May 16, 2023, the Higg Index platform has been renamed Worldly. Its modules include the Facility Environmental Module (FEM), the Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM), the Brand & Retail Module (BRM), the Materials Sustainability Index (MSI), and the Product Module (PM).
SAC, Higg Index, and Higg FEM
The Higg Index, developed by SAC, is an online self-assessment tool consisting of modules like the Higg FEM for environmental evaluation and the Higg FSLM for social and labor evaluation.
Higg FEM is a standardized method for companies to measure and evaluate their annual environmental performance. This tool enables factories to assess their environmental performance consistently each year. The primary users are manufacturers and factories, and the goal is to understand and communicate the overall environmental impact of their operations while promoting sustainable practices among manufacturers, brands, and retailers.
Key areas covered in Higg FEM verification include:
- Environmental management systems
- Energy and greenhouse gas emissions
- Water usage
- Air emissions
- Waste management
- Chemical management
Steps for Higg Verification
- Preparation:
Companies must first register as SAC members and gain access to the Higg Index system. They then collect supply chain-related data and assemble an internal team for preparation. - Self-Assessment:
Businesses complete self-assessments using the Higg Index tool, including modules like FEM. Based on their needs, they can choose to undergo onsite verification. - External Audit:
If onsite verification is required by clients, the company must purchase the Verified Facility Environmental Module (vFEM) and engage an authorized third-party verifier to conduct the onsite verification. The final verification report is uploaded to the Higg platform.
Higg Verification Timeline
The duration of the Higg verification process varies depending on factors such as the company’s preparation, efficiency in data collection, and scheduling with external auditors.
In general, Higg verification involves multiple steps, and timelines may differ based on each organization’s unique circumstances.
HQTS’s Role in Higg FEM Verification
In recent years, Higg FEM has become a key requirement in the business conditions of many global apparel and footwear brands. However, self-assessments alone can sometimes lack objectivity, reliability, and credibility, increasing the demand for third-party verification.
As a comprehensive third-party supply chain quality management service provider, and an officially recognized Higg FEM verifier by Cascale, HQTS brings extensive experience and resources to the table. HQTS offers professional, standardized, and compliant Higg FEM verification services for industries such as apparel, footwear, and textiles. These services help businesses identify opportunities for performance improvement, make informed decisions, and implement effective solutions, thereby driving high-quality growth and optimizing sustainable performance.
