Higg Index – Things to know

In this ever-evolving world, there is continuous improvement in the technologies and use for the betterment of the end consumer using it. The technological advancement is not limited to electronic devices & equipment; it is adopted by different sectors of the markets as well. One such technological advancement is implemented in the sector of audits as well. The best example of such technological advancement can be considered the Higg Index.

The HIGG INDEX developed in 2012 is a self-Assessment Standard for the apparel & footwear industry, which helps to assess the Environmental & Social sustainability throughout the Supply Chain. Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) a non-profitable organization founded by a group of fashion companies, along with the United States Government Environmental Protection Agency & other non-profit entities has developed & published HIGG INDEX.

The HIGG INDEX consist of various sets of tools that are used to measure and score the organization or its product’s sustainability performance throughout its supply chain.

HIGG INDEX offers a complete package that has the approach of making improvements towards the environment as well as the social wellbeing of the workers & the surrounding communities.

HIGG INDEX TOOLS

To evaluate the various aspects in a detailed manner HIGG INDEX has offered various tools to assess the processes as per the HIGG INDEX requirements. The HIGG INDEX is comprised of a total of five tools that are used to assess the environmental & social performance of the entire supply chain & the potential environmental impacts of the products.

The HIGG INDEX tools that are used by the organizations for the self-assessment are as follows:

1. Product Tools
2.  HIGG MSI (Materials Sustainability Index)
3.  HIGG PM (Product Module)
4. Facility Tools
5.  HIGG FEM (Facility Environmental Module)
6.  HIGG FSLM (Facility Social & Labor Module)
7. Brand Tools
8.  HIGG BRM (Brand & Retail Module)

HIGG MSI (Materials Sustainability Index)

The HIGG MSI module focuses on the stages engaged since the designing & development of the product. This tool enables to have a clear life cycle assessment of the product in order to provide appropriate information to create more sustainable products.

The HIGG MSI tool is widely used in the apparel industries to evaluate and score the major environmental impacts of the materials which are used to manufacture the products. This HIGG MSI tool can be used by designers & product developers to assess the impacts of the various materials from start to finish to facilitate the production of more sustainable products.

HIGG PM (Product Module)

The HIGG PM is a product assessment tool that uses the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach to measure beginning to end environmental impacts of the products produced. In HIGG PM the product’s lifecycle is considered from the stages of manufacturing, along with its impact on product distribution, use, and end of use.

HIGG FEM (Facility Environmental Module)

In the HIGG FEM the overall operations of the organization are evaluated by the means of the HIGG FEM Self-assessment checklist, this list is to be filled by the organization & then submit it on the HIGG portal. The verification of the self-assessment can be conducted by the organization to get a better understanding.

HIGG FSLM (Facility Social & Labor Module)

The HIGG FSLM is the tool developed by the HIGG INDEX to evaluate the operational conditions of the organizations, it mainly focuses on the evaluation of the implementation of the necessary labor rights that shall be practice at an organization in order to ensure Safe & Secure operational working of the organization & improving the well-being of the employees.

HIGG BRM (Brand & Retail Module) The HIGG BRM tool helps the brand & retailers to have a tool to create a strong corporate social responsibility awareness & strategies that enhance the well-being of the workers throughout the supply chain, from the inception to the end-use of the product. By using HIGG BRM tool an organization improves the working condition throughout its supply chain & empowers the social responsibility that helps to strengthen the global economy.