openPR Logo
Press release

SGS Reminds Apparel, Footwear and Home Textile Manufacturers of the Value of Higg Index FEM V3 Verification

10-30-2018 08:05 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance

Press release from: SGS

/ PR Agency: Sugarloaf Marketing
SGS Reminds Apparel, Footwear and Home Textile Manufacturers

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 SGS’s 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.com
Website: www.sgs.com/sas

About SGS
SGS is the world’s 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.

1, Mons Calpe
Chitcombe Road
Broad Oak
Rye
East Sussex
TN31 6EU

This release was published on openPR.

Permanent link to this press release:

Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.

You can edit or delete your press release SGS Reminds Apparel, Footwear and Home Textile Manufacturers of the Value of Higg Index FEM V3 Verification here

News-ID: 1339769 • Views:

More Releases from SGS

SGS Summarizes Impact of EU Postponement of RED Cybersecurity Regulation Enforce …
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 095.23 to help stakeholders understand the impact of the decision to postpone the enforcement of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) delegated act for cybersecurity until 2025. The European Commission (EC) originally planned to enforce the delegated act from August 2024. However, delays in the preparation of harmonized standards have meant the EC has now taken the decision to enforce
SGS Issues SafeGuardS for US CPSC Direct Final Rule for Bedside Sleepers
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS covering a recent direct final rule for bedside sleepers issued by the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Direct final rule 16 CFR 1222 was published on May 9, 2023, revising the safety standard for bedside sleepers. It incorporates the latest version of ASTM F2906-23 (Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bedside Sleepers) with a modification. The modification involves
SGS Announces Complementary Webinar to Help Businesses Navigate Post-Brexit European Requirements for PPE
SGS Announces Complementary Webinar to Help Businesses Navigate Post-Brexit Euro …
SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has announced a webinar to help companies operating in European personal protective equipment (PPE) markets understand the implications of Brexit and the best route towards compliance. "Personal Protective Equipment: overview of EU and UK requirements" will be offered in two sessions on February 9, 2023, at 10.00 CET and 16.00 CET. It is aimed at operators throughout the PPE value chain, including
Patented pest management products now available direct from manufacturer
01-11-2023 | Energy & Environment
SGS
Patented pest management products now available direct from manufacturer
In 2023, IPS is taking a new pathway in the distribution of the company's flagship products. It is now possible to purchase the CLTab and SPTab solutions under the Insectrac brand name directly from IPS, the manufacturer. The company behind these unique products is International Pheromone Systems a customer-orientated company with 35 years of experience in developing, producing, and supplying high-quality insect pheromone and kairomone formulations and associated trapping systems to a

All 5 Releases


More Releases for Higg

Viscose Fibre Market Size, Global Share, CAGR 4.28% with Emerging Trends, Top Le …
Viscose Fibre Market Overview: Viscose Fibre Market report provides a comprehensive overview of global business tactics, development plans of top manufacturers, current industry status, and future scope. Viscose Fibre Market research report shows the latest market insights with upcoming trends and challenges, provides regional development with the breakdown of products and services. Viscose Fibre is natural and biodegradable that is obtained from wood pulp and cotton pulp having characteristics similar to
DeSL Strengthens Sustainability Technology with Higg Data
DeSL announces partnership with Higg, the sustainability insights platform, to strengthen its already comprehensive suite of tools to help fashion and other consumer goods industries better manage their corporate goals in terms of sustainability, climate change and compliance. Leveraging this integration, DeSL can deliver Higg's industry leading social and environmental sustainability insights to product designers and developers from the start of the development process. With sustainability being an industry-wide initiative and
SGS Helps Clothing Manufacturers Prove Sustainability to Consumers with the Higg …
Manufacturers and suppliers of clothing can no longer ignore the demand from consumers for sustainable production methods. To help stakeholders, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) released the third iteration of its Higg Index Facility Environmental Module (FEM) in 2017. The Higg Index FEM helps businesses assess their environmental sustainability. In 2018, the SAC also released the Facilities Social and Labour Module (FSLM) allowing businesses to assess their social performance. The dominance
Sustainability Related Indices - Measuring the Supplier’s Performance
A growing number of suppliers in various countries are being asked to participate in sustainability related indices by providing data and information. For suppliers who have or will be contacted, gaining an understanding of indices can put them in a better position to respond. With knowledge, suppliers can realize they are an important piece of the sustainability equation and not just jumping through hoops. These requests for sustainability related indices have