Higg FEM, customized and comprehensive environmental assessment with on-site verification process

Every year, thousands of consumer goods manufacturers report environmental performance data based on brand or customer requirements, which is an important process to help factories and their partners understand performance. Tens of thousands of manufacturers rely on Higg FEM to collect this data and share it with value chain partners.

Higg FEM 4.0 keeps up with global reporting trends and helps factories collect more relevant data on the most important environmental areas in the industry. As the most comprehensive environmental assessment in the industry, it can:

One evaluation can save time

This year, when factories use Higg FEM 4.0 to report data, they will notice more issues that can help you report a more comprehensive view of indirect and direct (Scope 1 and 2) emissions. This can prevent factories from needing to complete additional evaluations outside of Higg FEM 4.0.

Report only relevant data

Higg FEM 4.0 includes more logic based issues. This means that the factory will only address issues related to its own processes, functions, or performance. For example, if the factory production process requires a relatively small amount of water, you will only answer questions designed for low water users. Alternatively, if the factory only focuses on finished product assembly, you will answer different questions than factories that focus on material production.

This assessment also addresses more of the most pressing environmental issues for the industry. For example, new issues related to groundwater and soil pollution, gradual phasing out of coal and fossil fuels, and carbon offsetting and rainwater harvesting methods.

Continuous improvement

Higg FEM can help factories identify a range of sustainable development opportunities and risks through the supply chain, fully understand the impact of future sustainable development, and evaluate performance. By using this standard tool, future sustainable strategies and leadership building can be formulated for long-term goals.

Higg FEM on-site verification process

1. First meeting

The auditor will hold an initial meeting with relevant personnel from the factory to initiate the verification process. Briefly explain the main content of this validation, including the scope, content, methods, and schedule of the validation.

2. File verification

The auditor will conduct a document review according to Cascale's requirements. This includes reviewing compliance and program document records, explaining relevant requirements, reviewing the applicability of document content, communicating program execution with relevant management or employees, and ensuring that the factory correctly understands and provides accurate documents. The review time will be determined based on the level of factory management.

3. Data validation

The auditor will examine the original source of the data and conduct more detailed verification. For example, electricity consumption will be recorded through electricity invoices or meters, and hazardous waste will be accounted for through internal inbound and outbound records or transfer records as data sources.

4. On site visits

The auditor will conduct a comprehensive visit to the factory, focusing on various aspects of the production process, pollution control facilities, chemical storage and use, as well as storage locations for solid/hazardous waste. And conduct random interviews and exchanges with on-site employees based on actual situations.

5. Summary meeting

The auditor and relevant personnel of the factory hold a summary meeting to explain the non conformities (if any) found during this verification, as well as the verification summary.