The Higg Index evaluates sustainability practices and inspires positive collective action among brands, retailers and manufacturers in the apparel, footwear and textiles industries.

Developed by the industry and for the industry, the Higg Index is a suite of self-assessment tools for measuring the environmental and social impact of apparel, footwear and textile production. The assessments cover brands, retailers, facilities and products, and helps Sustainable Apparel Coalition members and global Higg Index customers to adopt a holistic, consistent approach to managing sustainability performance. Currently, over 7,000 customers are using the Higg Index globally.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is a groundbreaking industry collaboration. Our members are committed to making transformational change. By scaling the Higg Index globally, we are driving the social and environmental improvements the industry needs to become sustainable.

Amina Razvi – Interim Executive Director, Sustainable Apparel Coalition

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s vision is of an apparel, footwear and textile industry that produces no unneccessary environmental harm and has a positive impact on the people and communities associated with its activities.

An industry-wide group, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition consists of more than 240 leading apparel, footwear, and textile brands, retailers, suppliers, service providers, NGOS, and academic institutions working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of products around the world. Through a multi-stakeholder engagement, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition seeks to lead the industry toward a shared vision of footwear and textile product sustainability performance that spotlights priorities for action and opportunities for technological innovation.

The apparel and footwear industry contributes to global challenges such as water pollution and worker safety. To improve performance, collective action in the sector is needed. The Higg Index offers a holistic social and environmental assessment of the value chain from design and materials selection to manufacturing, brand and retail operations, and a completed product’s environmental impact. Value chain business partners can share data with one another to collaborate on driving improvements. This upstream and downstream information exchange increases transparency and forces stakeholders to take responsibility for their performance.