SAC Evolves New Suite Of Tools For Higg Index In 2022

Amsterdam based Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) in its 2022 Annual Report said it made progress in evolving the suite of tools for the Higg Index, which continues to play a vital role in measuring and understanding the industry’s impact.

“The development of the Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) 4.0 and the major revision of the Higg Brand & Retail Module (BRM) have improved the relevance of the tools in today’s landscape as the industry continues to evolve,” SAC said.

The Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) had one of its largest updates to date, with the addition of more than 20 new materials and processes, a new material category for leather alternatives, and more.

SAC added that an independent third-party expert review of the Higg Index is being carried out to ensure continuous improvement of the suite of tools, while SAC is working with KPMG to coordinate the project, including recruitment of three panels of independent experts.

SAC continues to expand its membership, welcoming 18 organisations representing every part of the industry’s global value chain. In the past two years, the SAC has seen its largest growth in over a decade, with over 280 members from more than 33 countries.

Today, more than 21,000 organisations around the world use the Higg Index, making it the most widely adopted suite of tools in the industry for measuring impact.

Since launching its 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, SAC has made progress in driving collective action, advancing harmonised tools, and improving transparency; all central to a more responsible industry.

SAC launched its Decarbonisation Program in December 2022, aimed at supporting and driving the adoption of science-based targets (SBTs) and urgent emissions reduction.

Through initiatives like Peer-to-Peer Learning Groups and training, SAC has been fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As of 2022, 46 percent of SAC members have set or begun the process of setting SBTs.