An index to evaluate sustainable product development and supply chain management that prioritizes environmental and social responsibility.Higg Index(There is a HIG index.)
This index was established in 2012 by a US non-profit organization.Sustainable Apparel CoalitionDeveloped by SAC, the Higg Index is now used in the apparel and fashion industries worldwide. Its aim is to visualize environmental impact and labor rights issues, encouraging companies to strive for more sustainable products and supply chain improvements.
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Higg Index components
Higg Index consists of three tools and the following components:
YouTube Product Tools
- Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI)This tool evaluates the environmental performance of materials used in products. Its purpose is to compare and improve the environmental impact of different material selections.
- Higg Product Module (PM)This tool evaluates the environmental performance of a product throughout its entire lifecycle. It assesses factors such as material selection, manufacturing processes, and environmental impact during disposal.
Higg Processing Tools
- Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM)This is a tool for evaluating the environmental performance of a factory. It uses indicators such as water and energy usage, waste disposal methods, and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM)This is a tool for evaluating working conditions and employee welfare. It assesses aspects such as working hours, wages, health and safety, and issues of discrimination and harassment.
Mengg Brand Tools
- Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM) This is a tool for evaluating and comparing the sustainability performance of brands and retailers. Its purpose is to help companies aiming to improve their environmental impact and working conditions evaluate and enhance their sustainability performance.
These modules allow companies to evaluate and compare the environmental and social impact of their products and supply chains, and to identify areas for improvement.
Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI)
Higg MSI evaluates the following environmental indicators:
- Greenhouse gas emissions: This assesses greenhouse gas emissions during the material manufacturing process.
- Energy Consumption: This evaluates the energy consumption in the manufacturing of materials.
- Water usage: This evaluates the amount of water consumed during the material manufacturing process.
- Waste: We evaluate the amount of waste generated during the material manufacturing process and the methods of its disposal.
- Chemicals: We assess the risks and management methods of chemicals used in the manufacturing process of materials.
Higg Product Module (PM)
Higg PM evaluates environmental indicators related to the entire product lifecycle, including the following:
- Materials: We evaluate the environmental impact and recyclability of the materials used in the product.
- Manufacturing Process: We evaluate the environmental impact (energy consumption, wastewater, waste, etc.) during the product production process.
- Packaging: We evaluate the environmental impact and recyclability of product packaging.
- Transportation: We evaluate the environmental impact (such as CO2 emissions) associated with the transportation of products.
- Use and Care: Evaluate the environmental impact of the product during use and maintenance.
- Disposal: We evaluate the product's disposal methods, recyclability, and environmental impact related to waste treatment.
Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM)
Higg FEM evaluates the following environmental indicators:
- Energy and Greenhouse Gases: Evaluate the energy consumption, efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions of the factory.
- Water and wastewater: We evaluate the factory's water usage, wastewater treatment methods, and impact on water quality.
- Waste: We assess the quantity, sorting, recycling, and disposal methods of waste.
- Chemical Management: This involves evaluating the use, storage, and disposal methods of chemical substances, as well as employee education and training.
- Air and Noise: Evaluate air pollutants and noise levels emitted from the factory.
Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM)
Higg FSLM evaluates the following social and labor indicators:
- Working Hours: This evaluates employees' working hours, break times, and holidays.
- Wages and Compensation: This section evaluates workers' wage levels, the appropriateness of wage payments, and benefits.
- Health and Safety: This section evaluates management of worker health and safety, emergency response plans, education and training, etc.
- Discrimination and Harassment: We evaluate whether there is any discrimination or harassment against workers and whether the measures taken to address it are appropriate.
- Workers' Rights and Voices: This assesses whether workers' rights and opinions are respected and whether there are restrictions on union activities.
Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM)
Higg BRM evaluates the following environmental and social indicators:
- Environmental Management: We evaluate the environmental management policies and goals of brands and retailers, as well as the environmental performance of the organization.
- Labor Conditions Management: We evaluate efforts to ensure working conditions, wages, safety, and a non-discriminatory workplace environment.
- Product Development: We evaluate product development and design efforts that consider the environmental and social impact throughout the entire product lifecycle.
- Supply Chain Management: This evaluates sustainability initiatives and collaboration with partner companies throughout the entire supply chain.
- Waste Management: Evaluates brands and retailers' efforts to reduce waste and recycle.
How to use the Higg Index
The Higg Index is used by companies in the following steps to improve their sustainability:
- Evaluation: Use each module to assess the environmental and social performance of your products and supply chain.
- Analysis: Based on the evaluation results, we identify areas that need improvement.
- Improvement: Develop and implement specific improvement measures for the identified areas.
- Report: We will make public the data obtained using the Higg Index to increase transparency in our sustainability efforts.
- Re-evaluation: We will conduct regular evaluations to confirm the effectiveness of improvements and address new challenges.
Advantages of the Higg Index
The Higg Index offers the following advantages:
- Standardization: This allows for comparison of sustainability across companies using the same metrics.
- Driving Improvement: Based on benchmark data, you can identify your company's weaknesses and find ways to improve them.
- Improved reliability: It is a highly transparent evaluation method that can increase trust from consumers and investors.
Higg Index Recruiting Companies
The Higg Index is widely used, particularly in the apparel and footwear industries. Below are some of the major companies that use the Higg Index, but many companies that are members of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) also utilize the Higg Index.
- adidas: A leading manufacturer of sportswear and sporting goods, which uses the Higg Index to evaluate and improve its environmental and social performance.
- NIKE: A leading manufacturer of sportswear and footwear, committed to assessing and improving sustainability using the Higg Index.
- Patagonia: An outdoor apparel brand committed to environmental protection, it uses the Higg Index to evaluate the environmental impact of its products and develop improvement plans.
- H&M: One of the fast fashion brands, it uses the Higg Index to evaluate and improve the environmental and social performance of its supply chain.
- GAP: An American apparel brand that uses the Higg Index to assess and improve the sustainability of its supply chain.
- Uniqlo: Joined SAC in 2014 and uses the Higg Index to assess its environmental impact within the company and its supply chain, striving for continuous improvement.
In addition to the companies mentioned above, many other companies, primarily in the apparel and textile industries, have adopted the Higg Index, striving to improve their environmental and social performance and ensure transparency. The widespread adoption of the Higg Index plays a crucial role in enabling these companies to prioritize sustainability and maintain and enhance their competitiveness.
SAC Participants:Brands and Retailers、Material manufacturers
*Registered Japanese manufacturers: Adastria Corporation, ASICS Corporation, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. (as of April 7, 2023)
reference
Ministry of the Environment, "Survey on Fashion and the Environment - Results of the 'Fashion and Environment' Survey"
Ministry of the Environment - Sustainable Fashion
summary
The Higg Index is an evaluation metric for sustainable product development and supply chain management that focuses on environmental and social responsibility. By using the Higg Index, companies can identify areas for improvement to enhance their environmental and social performance, increase transparency, and improve credibility. While the Higg Index is currently popular, particularly in the apparel industry, it is expected to become an important evaluation criterion for companies and consumers interested in sustainability and sustainable fashion in the future.
If you are considering using Higg Index or visualizing sustainability assessment indicators in the apparel industry, please feel free to contact us using the information below.