New eco-index unveiled by Sustainable Apparel Coalition

Sustainable Apparel Coalition unveils new eco-index

 

A logical step toward long-term sustainability of the fashion industry, the new Higg Index was announced by clothing and footwear firms including Nike, Marks & Spencer, Levi Strauss, Walmart, Adidas, VF Corp, Arvind Mills, Li & Fung, TAL Apparel and H&M Hennes & Mauritz, all members of Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC).

The new eco-index will measure sustainability and environmental impact across the industry supply chain and based on established evaluation tools, including the Outdoor Industry Association’s Eco Index and Nike’s Environmental Apparel Design Tool.

Higg Index takes into consideration everything from water and energy use to greenhouse gas emissions, waste, chemicals and toxicity. The index will drive improvement and innovation in the global apparel and footwear supply chain.

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition is an industry-wide group of over 60 leading apparel and footwear brands, retailers, suppliers, nonprofits, and NGOs working to reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel and footwear products around the world.

When the Higg Index will be implemented? No timetable has yet been set, said the coalition.