Since the US textile market is currently worth nearly $252 billion, facilities manufacturing fabric products have a lot of competition.
Higg FEM testing ensures that your textile manufacturer stands out in the supply chain so you can retain an edge over competitors.
Here, we’ll discuss these testing methods and their benefits. Read on for a complete Higg FEM overview for textile manufacturers.
What Is Higg FEM?
“Higg FEM” stands for “Higg Facility Environmental Module.” It’s a sustainability assessment tool that textile manufacturers use to see their environmental performance.This tool is used by those who manufacture clothing and shoes, as well as other things made from fabric.
The Higg FEM testing tool aims to understand:
- The specific environmental impact of a given manufacturing facility
- How the facility can improve its carbon footprint
- Methods that can decrease the impacts of bad sustainability practices
It looks into seven core factors that contribute to sustainability, including:
- The environmental management system of a company
- How much electrical and gas energy the facility uses
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- The facility’s water use
- The amount of wastewater the facility produces
- General waste produced by the manufacturer
- Chemical use and management
How Does the HIGG Index Tool Work?
There is a three-level question structure for testing each of these factors:
- Level One (Foundational) – Awareness and understanding of systems
- Level Two (Progressive) – Setting goals and tracking the progress you’ve made
- Level Three (Aspirational) – Leading environmental practices
A comprehensive Higg FEM score is based on 100 possible points. Each section tests one of seven factors, meaning that every section is worth 14.3% of the overall score.
These sections are weighted equally.
Level 1 is worth 25% of the points in a section. Level 2 is worth 50% of the points and Level 3 is worth the remaining 25% of the points.
The levels are therefore not weighted equally. Level 2 carries the most weight.
Higg FEM Benefits
There are several ways that the Higg FEM can help companies in the textile industry.
Standardized testing methods make identifying environmental performance easy.They allow for a standard figure that makes benchmarking performance against other textile companies simple. Plus, since Higg FEM scores are widely recognized, a good score boosts people’s trust and confidence in a business.
Beyond that, Higg FEM metrics are great for:
- Finding ways to improve environmental performance
- Tracking progress consistently over time
- Communicating figures and benchmarks to business partners and suppliers
- Building trust with consumers due to eco-friendly practices
Why Are Environmental Performance Metrics Important?
Testing sustainability in textiles with standardized Higg FEM practices is essential for any facility that wants to figure out how well they are performing environmentally.
Since consumers are willing to pay 12% more for eco-friendly products, reporting on these metrics makes a business more competitive in the textile industry. Higg FEM testing ensures that you can provide thorough information about your sustainability.
Invest in Professional Textile Quality Testing
Now that you know the ins and outs of Higg FEM testing, it’s time to begin ensuring that your textile manufacturing facility is using sustainable and up-to-date manufacturing processes.IDFL is the global leader in auditing and testing various filled-textiles. We use a wide range of testing methods to produce measurable results. Our excellence is fostered by highly trained and credentialed experts with over 46 years of experience. Contact us to guarantee your business’s integrity, transparency, and sustainability.
