Higg Index Tools / Verification and Training Programs

Verification and Training Programs

Verification improves the consistency, comparability, and credibility of Higg Index data. It also reduces the need for multiple, proprietary audits for facilities so that resources can be effectively used in other areas, such as performance improvement.

By measuring and verifying sustainability performance, the industry is able to identify and address hotspots, drive industry transformation, and achieve transparency. Through collectively verifying sustainability data, Cascale members and Higg Index users can address the urgent, systemic challenges together.

The logos shown in each section below can be utilized to represent Cascale-approved Verifiers and Trainers. Displaying these logos indicates that an organization is approved to perform Higg Index verification and/or training.

Higg FEM Verification

Verification strengthens the consistency, comparability, and credibility of Higg FEM data — helping brands and manufacturers use the data with greater confidence and make more informed decisions.

The Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), part of the Higg Index suite stewarded by Cascale, is widely used across the consumer goods industry to assess environmental performance. The Higg FEM is implemented globally through the Worldly platform, where facilities complete and share their assessments.

As adoption has scaled, the need for trusted, comparable data has become increasingly important.

Higg FEM Verification Program

The Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) is a transformative tool used to assess a facility’s environmental impact. This tool captures every stage of the production process – from water use to waste management, to chemical and energy use.

The Higg FEM Verification Program provides an accurate assessment of a factory’s self-assessed responses. Higg FEM verifications support sustainability goals for brands and factories on compliance, impact metrics, and improvement practices.

Only Cascale-approved Verifier Bodies can conduct valid verifications. Competency and other VB requirements are provided in the Higg FEM VB and Verifier Requirements Protocol. To learn more about Higg FEM verification, please visit the below resources:

Higg FEM Verification Program Resources:

Higg BRM Verification Program

The Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM) aligns with relevant frameworks and regulations in the industry, such as Textile Exchange’s Material Change Index, and the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Brands to Zero program. In doing so, brands and retailers can build consistent corporate sustainability strategies to deliver more effectively on their ESG goals and industry needs.

The Higg BRM Verification Program ensures Higg BRM data is credible, trusted, and able to be communicated publicly. The verification process is similar to other sustainability report assurance/verification processes and is based on standard assurance frameworks.

Only Cascale-approved Verifier Bodies can conduct valid verifications. To learn more about Higg BRM verification, please visit the below resources:

Higg BRM Verification Program Resources:

Higg FEM Training Program

Cascale has developed a program to approve third-party training bodies who provide onsite and online Higg FEM training to facility members and users.

To learn more, please visit the resources below:

Resources:

FEM Training Protocol
Download Higg FEM Training Protocol – Provision of ELearning
Trainer Status Maintenance Protocol
TB Professional Code of Conduct
Higg FEM TB Approval Logo:

Higg FSLM Verification

Higg FSLM verification improves data quality and ensures that a facility has accurately responded to the Higg FSLM self-assessment questions.

The Higg FSLM verification process follows the SLCP verification methodology. For guidance on how to complete Higg FSLM verification as a facility, visit SLCP’s website.

Higg Index Learning Center

The Higg Index Learning Center is an open resource that shares practical guidance and operational resources for utilizing the Higg Index tools.

Access How to Higg