For many in the industry, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s suite of sustainability tools is the measurement of choice.
As previously reported, the tool has been subject to independent review this year. The announcement coincided with the suspension of consumer transparency programs after greenwashing allegations by the Norwegian Consumer Agency.A Wednesday announcement from the SAC details further expectations and timelines for the review. are described.
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“Of course, it is important to clarify that the full suite of tools is still very active and available to all users,” Higg Index vice president Jeremy Lardeau said in a blog post Wednesday. increase. “Reviews are conducted to ensure continuous improvement, and the context in which the tool is used continues to evolve, and so must the tool. Whether it is a , database or measurement tool, we are committed to continuous improvement to ensure that the industry has the most powerful tools to enable social and environmental change.”
The SAC owns and oversees the methodology of the Higg index, while the hi-tech platform Higg hosts the data itself. The last time the SAC independently reviewed the Higg index was more than five years ago. The Higg Index includes the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI), Higg Product Module (Higg PM), Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), and Higg Brand & Retail Module (BRM).
KPMG, a Big Five accounting firm, will lead the independent audit. KPMG is also an independent auditor for other companies including Accenture, Halliburton, Citigroup and Coca-Cola.
“The dates are fluid as the recruitment is finalized, but we hope the SAC will receive a comprehensive report and recommendations in June 2023,” said Lardeau.
The process outlined involves the recruitment of 30 independent experts (10 for each component of the Higg index or for each facility, product and brand). Once the panel is recruited, the review process will take approximately 11 weeks. After review, the report will be fully published.
The SAC anticipates possible updates on impact.
“This is where the MSI and product module tools may be updated in the form of additional impact categories to show where and how the world has moved since our last review. For example, at this time There are 5 impact categories, compared to the European Commission’s expected PEF of 16. We hope that this review will help you identify data gaps that you should prioritize. , can further encourage the industry to step up and continuously provide a stronger and more independent service.We validated the LCA data to anchor it in the tool,” he said.
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