Higg FEM 4.0 FAQ

Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) is the most widely used environmental performance assessment in the consumer goods supply chain. The latest version of the evaluation, Higg FEM 4.0, was launched in November last year, improving the accuracy of dataand better aligning with global frameworks such as the greenhouse gas protocol, scientific goals initiative, and ZDHC zero carbon roadmap. The editor has compiled a few common questions about Higg FEM 4.0 for everyone, let's take a look together.

Q Air emissions: Is a general exhaust fan or vent an acceptable air emission control device?

Only using exhaust fans (or ventilation systems) cannot remove pollutants from the airflow. Additional control devices (such as scrubbers, carbon filters, and dust collectors) need to be installed in order to be considered as control devices.

Q Air emissions: If only an electric boiler is used (which will not produce air emissions), do we need to select "boiler" in the air emissions applicability section?

Electric boilers are not considered as air emission sources (as they do not emit any air pollutants) and do not need to be selected as emission sources in the air emission suitability section.

Q Chemicals: Are Bluesign "gray" grade chemicals considered as preferred/positive chemicals?

yes. Please note that, Chemicals rated blue and gray in bluesign are considered preferred chemicals and can be part of the active chemical list.

Q Chemicals: Are fire drills equivalent to chemical emergency drills?

No, in Higg FEM, the purpose of developing chemical emergency response procedures and drills is to ensure that staff understand and practice how to respond to chemical emergencies (such as leaks, worker contact, etc.).

Q Chemicals: Can Bluesign BSSL or other industry chemical lists be considered MRSL?

If the list follows the principles of MRSL and lists prohibited chemicals for use in production, and the ban is based on specific environmental health and safety hazards, then thelist will be considered as MRSL. Bluesign BSSL will be considered as MRSL.

Q Energy: Should the facility report negligible energy usage unrelated to production in FEM (such as liquefied petroleum gas used in the kitchen)?

Yes, if the facility owns or operates non productive energy use, it should also be reported.

Q Site information and permit: If a groundwater extraction permit is required but the permit does not mention extraction restrictions, what should be done?

If there is no limit on the quantity that can be extracted, then the answer to this question should be "no".

If there are legal groundwater extraction restrictions applicable to your factory in the country or operating jurisdiction where the factory is located (such as restrictions on the amount of water that can be extracted), then the answer is yes.

Q Wastewater: Can testing conducted according to local laws be considered as testing conducted according to "wastewater standards"?

In FEM, wastewater standards refer to specific industry/customer/brand standards in addition to local laws. If the factory only conducts testing in accordance with local legal requirements, the answer to this question should be no.

Q Wastewater: If the facility uses a public ETP owned by another facility of the factory group on the same shared site, should it be considered as on-site treatment or off-site treatment?

If the ETP is owned and operated by an independent commercial entity, as long as the license/license of the ETP reflects the difference between two legitimate commercial entities, the processing will be considered as off-site processing.