CY2024 Higg FEM 4.0 validation focuses on the "core" set, and these updates require understanding

In CY2024, Higg FEM 4.0 validation will focus on a specific set of fundamental questions, namely the "core" set. This method aims to control costs, ensure the availability of validators, and address quality issues that have occurred in previous cycles. Among them, you need to understand these key updates.

What is core validation?

The core validation will specifically target the basic environmental practices and key quantitative indicator data in Higg FEM, thereby simplifying the validation process and adapting to a wide range of FEM 4.0 updates.

Basic environmental practices refer to the basic good practices that enterprises must demonstrate in order to operate responsibly and sustainably. The specific criteria for incorporating FEM issues into the basic environmental performance subset are:

Key legal requirements: regulatory compliance requirements commonly found in most jurisdictions, and

Basic management practices: The fundamental elements of a management system necessary for identifying and preventing the most critical environmental risks.

Quantitative indicator data refers to environmental impact indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and water resource utilization.

Why introduce Higg FEM core validation?

Through core validation methods, SAC aims to reduce costs, maintain the availability of validators, and address quality issues in order to better transition to the next Higg FEM 4.0 validation. SAC also aims to continue developing and providing a more flexible and scalable validation method to better meet the needs of SAC members and the industry.

Does Higg FEM self-assessment only cover core issues?

No, facility users will still complete a complete Higg FEM 4.0 self-assessment (all FEM 4.0 issues), but only verify the core issues.

Will core validation generate a complete Higg FEM score?

Due to the fact that Higg FEM validation now only covers a portion of the complete FEM evaluation, the validated Higg FEM score will become only partially validated.

SAC believes that the overall validation Higg FEM score, or the comparison of self-assessment and validation evaluation scores, should not be the only form of facility performance measurement. A more comprehensive assessment of the impact/progress of facilities should include departmental/impact performance, historical improvements, and departmental benchmarks.

SAC is evaluating alternative indicators that are consistent with the proposed core validation method, which may support the brand's internal processes. For more details, please continue to follow our official account.

What changes have been made to the cost of the verification plan?

Before May 2023, the Higg FEM validation plan fee will be collected on Worldly and passed on to the SAC responsible for managing the plan. In order to simplify the process, improve transparency, and better comply with industry practices, this fee will now be collected by the verification agency and transferred to SAC. The Higg FEM verification plan fee remains unchanged at $300.