HIGG Index Certification: Sustainable Apparel Coalition
What is HIGG INDEX Certification?
Higg Index Certification refers to the successful completion of Higg Index assessments with verified and credible data, accepted by global brands and stakeholders. While the Higg Index itself is not a traditional ISO-style certification, organisations often refer to verified Higg Index participation as certification for commercial and compliance purposes.
Higg Index Verification is a mandatory process where submitted Higg data is independently validated to ensure accuracy and reliability. PQSmitra supports organisations through the complete verification lifecycle.
Our verification services cover:
Higg FEM Verification (Facility Environmental Module)
Energy consumption and GHG emissions
Water usage and wastewater management
Waste management
Chemical management practices
Higg FSLM Verification (Facility Social & Labor Module)
- Labour standards and worker welfare
- Health and safety compliance
- Management systems and social practices
Achieving Higg Index Certification status demonstrates a company’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible manufacturing.
Video: HIGG Index Certification: Sustainable Apparel Coalition
Why Higg Index Verification Is Important
Higg Index Verification helps organisations:
- Meet global brand and buyer requirements
- Improve data accuracy and transparency
- Strengthen supply chain credibility
- Identify sustainability improvement areas
- Support Higg Index Certification recognition
Who Needs Higg Index Certification and Verification?
Garment and apparel manufacturers
Textile mills and processing units
Footwear manufacturing facilities
Dyeing, finishing, and wet-processing units
Suppliers working with international fashion brands
Higg Index Verification Process at PQSmitra
Our structured approach includes:
Pre-verification review and gap analysis
Evidence and documentation assessment
On-site or remote verification
Non-conformance identification and clarification
Final verification submission as per SAC guidelines
Why Choose PQSmitra as Your Higg Index Consultant?
As experienced consultants for Higg Index, PQSmitra offers:
Practical, industry-specific guidance
Experience across textile, garment, footwear, and manufacturing sectors
Alignment with global buyer expectations
Support beyond assessment — focused on improvement and readiness
We don’t just help you submit data; we help you build credible sustainability performance.
Get Started with Higg Index Certification
PQSmitra Team helps organizations to implement the requirements of HIGG FEM in the simplest and systematic manner. The methodology of system implementation covers Initial review, planning followed by implementation, and documentation. PQSmitra is one of the leading Higg index certification consultants in Mumbai, India. Our team offers active support and hand-holding to organizations to achieve successful system implementation and positive audit results. 100% documentation support is offered to expedite the implementation process. The implementation process is described below:
Simple & Practical Methodology
Initial Review
- Initial visit and Helping in Company Registration on Higg portal.
- Review of the existing system with respect to Higg self-assessment checklist.
Documentation
- Updating the Higg self-assessment checklist with its evidence.
- Handholding/ support for implementation.
Effective Verification
- Support during the on-site verification.
Achieve Certification
- Inviting the SAC approved assessor (verifying body)
- Uploading self-assessment report on Higg portal.
- Support to act on areas for improvement identified.
PQSmitra offers only Genuine HIGG Index Certifications Options
We ensure that Higg Index Certification adds value to your brand rather than distracting from it by getting counterfeit/local certification. Your certificate’s international traceability helps in passing the Certificate Verification process conducted by your overseas customers.
PQSmitra Service Features Appreciated by Clients
PQSmitra’s contribution towards cultural improvement is highly appreciated by Industry & Business Establishment.
This simple & practical solution of performance measurement system has added value towards business excellence.
Simple &
Practical Approach
25+ years
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5000+
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Only Genuine
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Higg Index FSLM (Facility Social & Labour Module) evaluates labour practices, health & safety, ethics, and working conditions within manufacturing facilities.
Higg Index certification is required for garment manufacturers, textile mills, footwear factories, and suppliers working with global brands demanding verified sustainability data.
Higg Index registration is done through the Sustainable Apparel Coalition platform. Consultants help ensure correct module selection and facility setup to avoid compliance issues.
A Higg Index audit or verification is mandatory when brands require verified Higg results to accept supplier sustainability performance.
Higg Index audits in India are conducted by approved third-party verification bodies recognised by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.
Higg Index consultants help avoid incorrect submissions, reduce audit risks, improve scores, and ensure buyer-aligned compliance.
The timeline depends on facility readiness and module scope. With structured consultancy support, most organisations complete verification within a few weeks.
– Human Resource activity.
– Total working/ operational hours of employees.
– Minimum wages as per legal requirement & benefits.
– No discrimination with employees.
– Labour union & involvement.
– Operational Health & Safety.
– Implemented Management Systems.
– Social corporate responsibility.
The organization opting for Higg Index FEM requires to fill the self-assessment to demonstrate its compliance, along with this the organization should be able produce documents required during verification.
The documented information required for Higg Index FEM
– EMS documents.
– Water use documents.
– Energy use & greenhouse gas emissions.
– Wastewater & Sewage documents.
– Exhaust emission documents.
– Waste Management documents.
– Chemical Management documents.
The organization opting for Higg Index FSLM requires to fill the self-assessment to demonstrate its compliance, along with this the organization should be able to produce documents required during verification.
The documented information required for Higg Index FSLM:
– Working hours records.
– Site ownership evidence.
– List of workers.
– Operating License.
– List of sub-contractors.
– Work Place rules compliances.
– Workers Contracts.
– Records for wages.
– Health & Safety records.
The Higg FEM is applicable to all the industries along the supply chain which deals in the following industry sectors:
– Textile Industries.
– Apparel Industries.
– Footwear Industries.
– Helps to identify sustainability issues immediately.
– Shows the organization’s approach towards sustainability.
– Provides a competitive edge over the competitors.
– Facilitates sustainability education & collaboration.
– Emphasis & improves the overall social labor practices.
– Assurance regarding 100% compliance to Social Labour practices.
– Accurate scoring & easy sharing of data with external interested parties.
– Helps to avoid the waste of time & cost required for audits.
– Passport to international market for business opportunities.
– Version 1.0: The First version of the Higg Index was made public on July 2012. In its first iteration, Higg Index metrics focus on environmental factors.
– Version 2.0: On December 2013 an updated version of Higg Index with metrics pertaining to footwear as well as labour and social sustainability was released.
– The Higg Index 2.0 is a technique for evaluating clothes and footwear products based on indicators (equipment and accessories coming soon). Its goal is to establish a common industry strategy to assessing and measuring sustainability impacts.