The Higg Index is an apparel and footwear industry self-assessment standard to rate environmental and social sustainability throughout the supply chain.
[1] While initially formed to create standardized sustainability metrics, the SAC has since sharpened its focus to driving pre-competitive, collective action across three foundational pillars: "Combat Climate Change", "Decent Work for All", and a "Nature-Positive Future".
The SAC said Higg Index tools are designed to enhance standardized sustainability pathways[clarification needed] for the apparel, footwear, and consumer goods sectors.
[4] Walmart and Patagonia founded the SAC in 2009 with the goal of convening stakeholders across the industry on a pre-competitive basis to develop a common approach to measuring sustainability.
Leaders of the group at this time included Kevin Myette, Greg Scott, Ammi Borenstein, Peter Girard, Nick Sterling and many others.
[3] In a June 2022 statement in response to a New York Times article, former chief executive officer Amina Razvi said the assumption was “incorrect," adding the SAC's communication guidelines specifically "prohibit brands from making comparisons across material types.” [18] Razvi told WWD the tools are "constantly in evolution," with the changes made based upon best available science, use, and feedback.
[24] In March 2023, the SAC updated the Higg BRM which assesses sustainability performance across 11 key impact areas within three pillars: environmental, social, and governance better aligning with upcoming regulation.
SAC said the updates resulted in improved data precision, alignment with key industry standards, expanded environmental impacts, user-centric design, and audit efficiency.