The Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM), part of the Higg Index suite of tools, has been updated by Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition).
- The Higg BRM is a framework specific to the textiles, apparel, and footwear industry designed for brands and retailers to evaluate, assess, and improve Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. It assesses 11 critical impact areas along global value chains to foster a holistic approach to sustainability.
- The Higg BRM 2023 update, launched in collaboration with Worldly, went live on 4 March. Worldly, formerly Higg Inc, is now the exclusive platform for the Higg Index tools.
THE BACKDROP: In 2022, the SAC had initiated a discovery phase to identify the industry’s needs and the areas where the Higg BRM could improve. It interviewed 78 members and evaluated 15 assessment frameworks.
- Key industry collaborators included the Alliance members Textile Exchange and ZDHC, as well as Fair Wear and STTI. In 2023, a more streamlined version of the Higg BRM was introduced that included an exclusive, industry-specific ESG framework.
- In 2023, a verification pilot was conducted with 11 SAC member brands and three verifier bodies. Upon completion of the pilot, it identified opportunities for improvements and tool enhancement to improve data accuracy and meet industry needs, further cementing the commitment to continuous improvement and evolution of the Higg Index tools.
THE UPDATE: While the Higg BRM 2023 update is minor, it brings a multitude of benefits to users, including more refined guidance, new social metrics, and a framework designed to keep pace with rapidly evolving sustainability landscapes.
- The Higg BRM remains consistent and comparable with previous versions, allowing for year-over-year tracking and continuous improvement, and aims to help organisations respond to the unique challenges that users face to facilitate significant, sustainable change for the industry.
THE HIGG BRM 2023 BENEFITS: Brands and retailers can use the module to build consistent corporate sustainability strategies to deliver more effectively on ESG goals and industry needs, while avoiding duplication across sustainability initiatives.
- It can assist with supporting members and users in their reporting obligations.
- A new feature of the Higg BRM is upgraded benchmarking capabilities that provide a holistic view of a company’s performance, spotlight emerging trends, and uncover opportunities for continuous improvement. Since the last major update, the Higg BRM now assesses the entire value chain to provide a more comprehensive view of a company’s sustainability journey.
- Additionally, Higg BRM verification is now accessible to all users (but remains optional for Cascale members), providing more accurate and trusted data, fostering deeper insights into performance metrics and data, and providing new avenues for continuous improvement.
WHAT THEY SAID:
The Higg BRM stands as a beacon for sustainability in the fashion industry, guiding brands and retailers through their sustainability journeys. The Higg BRM is more than a tool—it's a community's commitment to a sustainable future. As we stride forward and converge with key frameworks, including the Textile Exchange's Material Benchmark and the ZDHC Brands to Zero programme, our members are empowered to craft sustainability strategies that are not only consistent but impactful.
— Maravillas Rodriguez Zarco
Senior Director, Higg Index Strategy & Operations
Cascale
