Higg FEM 3.0 Training (English)
Higg FEM 3.0 Training (English)
0 Training
Target RS&S
Measured improvements
reflected Target Forward Higg FEM completed
Opportunity / Results annually
goals and in following Assessment
year Higg FEM
Project Environmental
Implementation Capability Building
Water Stewardship
Suppliers must identify, characterize and inventory all wastewater streams on an ongoing basis. In addition, suppliers must install and maintain
appropriately sized wastewater treatment systems to ensure pollutants are at or below legally required levels. We will not tolerate suppliers with
undersized, bypassed, or inoperable wastewater treatment systems.
Energy Management
With respect to both production facilities and processes, suppliers must identify all applicable energy sources and energy consumption. Suppliers
must also periodically set clear goals to improve energy efficiency and document progress made toward achieving those goals.
Emissions to Air
With respect to both production facilities and processes, suppliers must monitor and document all air emissions in
accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, suppliers must install and maintain appropriate air emissions control
devices to ensure air emissions’ pollutants are at or below legally required levels.
• Target completes this • Since 2012 we have utilized • Connected with • Managed through
module across the the Higg FEM module with SLCP gateway design/development
enterprise. our tier 1 and tier 2 supply • Accepted scheme team
• Required as a part of chains. as a part of EQ • Looking to see how
our Sustainable • As part of our responsible • Adopt and scale in the module can
Apparel Coalition sourcing program we have A&A + Tier 2 connect to our
membership adopted the Higg internal product
framework as our development system,
environmental oversight not fully scaled
model.
• Higg is used as a baseline
data collection for our RS
goal work
• 2020 Target has made Higg
FEM self-assessment a
requirement included in our
EQ scheme protocol
Who Completes Higg FEM
Included
(All product categories) Excluded
Factories in scope include partners that produce Target Owned Brand, National Brand where Target is the
importer of record, and authorized factories that produce tier 2 fabric, trim and packaging.
Conduct
Step 1: Registration • Register for an account on Higg.org or login to your existing account
Step 2: Purchase self-
assessment • Complete the FEM self-assessment
Submit
Step 1: Ensure that
self-assessment is • Post and share the module with Target Corporation (Higg ID 489)
shared
Please note: Factories that choose to complete Higg FEM verification will not be required to complete the
environmental questions within the disclosure section in Inspectorio. Please ensure that your verification report is posted
and shared with Target, otherwise it may lead to critical issue in your audit report.
Conduct and Submit Higg FEM
Which subscription should I choose?
Facility Environmental: This subscription includes access to the standard Higg FEM self-
assessment. Facilities that are required by Target to complete ONLY the Higg FEM should
choose this subscription. As we continue to develop our program requirement, we encourage
tier 2 fabric mills to purchase the FEM verification module in addition to the FEM self-
assessment.
Facility Plus: This subscription includes access to the standard Higg FEM self-assessment and
the Higg FSLM self-assessment; this option also includes access to the FEM Communication
Toolkit, Benchmarking, CSV exports, and SLCP verified transfer. Facilities that are required by
Target to complete BOTH the Higg FEM and SLCP, could choose this subscription if they
would like to leverage Higg platform as an Accredited Host for SLCP.
Target’s Annual Requirements
Process Requirements- module year
The self-assessment must be completed, posted and shared with Target annually. Failure to
complete the Higg FEM self-assessment will result in a 6-month deactivation of the factory.
Starting from January of each year, we will only accept Higg FEM self-assessment from the
current available module, e,g. starting from January, the FEM subscription in 2023 would be
the module of 2022. More examples could be referred as below.
Reminder: please ensure the facility’s name and address in Higg are aligned with the ones in VMM.
Target’s Annual Requirements
What are the benefits for factories for completing How does Responsible Sourcing uses the information?
the Higg Index?
• Develop a baseline energy inventory of our supply
• Understand the full environmental impacts at chain which will help us establish a Science Based
their factory Target that we have committed to through our
climate policy goals
• Develop comprehensive strategies and policies
to manage environmental performance • Identify high impact categories and incorporate
performance improvement programs
• Identify opportunities to improve performance
and gain efficiencies • Global risk mapping by impact area (for example
water scarce regions)
• Benchmark results against industry peers
• Ability to do much more analysis in future
• Easily share the results of one assessment with
numerous customers or supply chain partners
Frequently Asked Questions
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that absorb/trap some of
the Earth’s outgoing radiation, causing the atmosphere to warm up (called the ‘greenhouse
effect’).
What’s the Your factory’s energy use generates direct and indirect GHG emissions. The GHG Protocol
connection categorizes these emissions into three broad “scopes”:
between energy ● Scope 1: All direct GHG emissions.
use and GHG ● Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam
emissions? ● Scope 3: Other indirect emissions, such as the extraction and production of purchased
materials and fuels, transport-related activities, electricity-related activities (e.g. T&D losses)
not covered in Scope 2, outsourced activities, waste disposal, etc.
Section 2: Energy & GHG
Reuse: the wastewater from one process may still meet quality criteria for use in a
second process without additional treatment.
Recycle: a facility treats this wastewater (either chemically or biologically) to meet
quality specifications for another process in the facility.
Section 5: Air Emissions
2. Does your facility conduct any of the following processes or use any of the following
substances?
• Yarn spinning or synthetic fiber manufacturing • Finishes (any mechanical or chemical process that
occurs after dying to affect the look, performance, or feel of the product) • Solvents
• Adhesives/cementing • Printing • Dyeing • Tenterframes or other heating process • Spot cleaners
• Sprayed chemicals or paints • Other sources of ozone depleting substances (ODSs)
Section 5: Air Emissions
The following hierarchy can be used (1 being the most preferred option).
1. Waste Source Reduction & Reuse/Upcycle
2. Recycle
3. Energy/Material Recovery (e.g. Incineration with energy recovery)
4. Other Treatment (e.g. Biological treatment, Incinerated without energy recovery)
5. Landfill
Section 6: Waste
Waste chemicals storage (including chemical residues and expired Same as left.
chemicals)
Laboratories, tool shop, maintenance, etc. Same as left.
Protective and safety equipment are available on-site at all times and are Same as left.
strategically located to be easily accessible to workers at relevant areas
Protective and safety equipment are appropriate and in accordance with the Same as left.
Global Harmonization System (GHS) compliant (or equivalent) MSDS/SDS
for each chemical stored/used
Protective and safety equipment are well maintained and checked regularly Same as left.
for its functionality
Section 7: Chemical Management
Waste chemicals storage (including chemical residues and expired Same as left.
chemicals)
Laboratories, tool shop, maintenance, etc. Same as left.
Signage posted at the storage and chemical operations area depicts the Same as left.
hazard(s) classification of chemicals stored
Signage are clearly visible and understood by relevant employees/workers Same as left.
that are responsible for chemical usage
Handling equipment is available at relevant locations and corresponds with Nil
the safety requirement and hazard communication/signage for each particular
chemical
Section 7: Chemical Management
… Nil
… Nil
… Same as left.
Section 7: Chemical Management
All chemicals at warehouse and temporary storage areas are clearly marked, Nil
with each chemical properly identified by visible signage with at least the
chemical product name and appropriate hazard warning (Global
Harmonization System (GHS) compliant signs, or equivalent) according to the
MSDS/SDS.
All chemicals containers in warehouse and temporary storage are in good Nil
condition, identified by its original labeling, lot number, product name,
supplier/manufacturer name, and hazard class.
Temporary/sub-containers are properly labeled with accurate information Nil
consistent with the label on original container.
… …
Section 7: Chemical Management
Use chemicals in production processes Use chemicals in facility operations only (N/A)
There is a designated person(s) responsible for chemical management,
MRSL and RSL compliance, identified by formal job description, including but
not limited to: purchasing, production line and technical managers.
There is a formal system of training that documents who, when, where, and
how they were trained on MRSL and RSL.
Designated person(s) responsible for chemical management are
knowledgeable regarding MRSL and RSL (through interview).
Section 7: Chemical Management
Use chemicals in production processes Use chemicals in facility operations only (N/A)
The facility or its parent/corporate group can provide a written document
specifying a review process that monitors, updates and show compliance to a
RSL.
Process recipes should consider the usage of chemicals according to each
technical data sheet (TDS) to ensure compliance to RSL i.e. chemicals in
process recipe should not exceed the concentrations as suggested by
chemical manufacturer.
All chemicals in the Chemical Inventory are checked against RSL compliance
at least on annual basis.
The facility or its parent/corporate group can provide Letters of RSL
Conformance supported with test/analysis results for all relevant chemicals.
RSL has been formally communicated to upstream suppliers i.e. chemical
suppliers, raw material suppliers, process subcontractors (e.g. washing,
finishing, printing).
Procedure or process to verify the products complies with RSLs such as
testing according to customer’s requirement, or having a program to test the
products based on factories’ own risk assessment (the focus should be the
procedure and process)
The facility or its parent/corporate group should ensure that all the raw
materials (yarn, fabric etc.,) are in compliance with the MRSL / RSL.
Section 7: Chemical Management
Question and Guidance Common Mistakes
12. Does your facility have a documented process to systematically monitor,
update and demonstrate compliance with Manufacturing Restricted Substance
Lists (MRSLs), and segregate chemical formulations materials and products
which are non-compliant with MRSL?
Does your facility require its chemicals suppliers to do the same?
Does your facility require its washing and printing subcontractors to do the same?
o Establishing an effective MRSL program is complicated and may take several years to fully
implement in your factory.
• For all products which are considered to be MRSL compliant, there must be
appropriate process for validating the MRSL present in the facility.
• The process of engaging the subcontractors should involve subcontractor selection,
evaluation and management which essentially includes the same processes that the
facility is following in order to meet all MRSL compliances and chemical
management practices.
• The ZDHC MRSL (latest version) is the global apparel, footwear, and textile industry
recognized chemical MRSL standard for the chemical supply industry and major
retail brands.
Section 7: Chemical Management Expectations under two different scenarios
Use chemicals in production processes Use chemicals in facility operations only (N/A)
The facility or its parent/corporate group can demonstrate a well-documented (written) chemical
review process that monitors, updates and shows compliance to legislations, customer MRSL
requirements, or the ZDHC MRSL as a standard for the facility, subcontractors and contractors.
The chemical review process against MRSL is aligned and managed properly across functions in
the facility (management, purchasing, lab, production teams) and external parties
(subcontractors, suppliers, testing agency, etc.) and responsibilities are assigned properly.
The process should also demonstrate how chemicals are reviewed / checked against the MRSL
prior to purchase.
Chemical review process/methods are robust, i.e. periodical screening through the ZDHC
Gateway – Chemical Module (with ZDHC Performance InCheck when possible),
certification/Letter of Compliance to MRSL specific to each chemical product with test data/report
to support the claim, or adoption of systems that ensures MRSL conformance e.g. Bluesign, etc.
When non-conforming chemicals are found, a phase out plan is developed accordingly. When
ZDHC Gateway - Chemical Module is used for screening, the facility tracks and monitors the
Level of Conformance of each chemical screened.。
The facility or its parent/corporate group actively communicates the expectations to their dye and
chemical suppliers that formulations supplied to the facility need to be compliant with MRSL.
The facility or its parent/corporate group can demonstrate that the expectation of MRSL
compliance is actively communicated to the upstream supply base and monitored on at least an
annual basis, including subcontracted processing units i.e. washing, printing (if applicable).
The facility or its parent/corporate group actively asks and monitors MRSL compliance of its
suppliers and screen it against Chemical Inventory List (CIL).
Section 7: Chemical Management
Use chemicals in production processes Use chemicals in facility operations only (N/A)
All processes that a product went through that involves usage of chemical are
identified and the corresponding recipe and batch cards at each process are
available and retained.
Wherever chemicals are used there are written instructions for their proper
use including recipe cards, process instructions (where applicable),
formulation sheets, containing all traceable information i.e. chemical name, lot
number, and quantity, which can be linked back to the facility-wide chemical
inventory.
Major production processes and each chemical used and its respective
quantities are covered, and the process instruction including control
parameters and checkpoints are in place.
Where internal blending / mixing of chemicals take place the process has
been documented.
Chemicals listed in each production recipe at each manufacturing step can be
traced consistently to relevant records, including chemical mixing process log,
lab records (e.g. color lab, washing lab) where applicable, and the chemical
information is also recorded in the chemical inventory i.e. chemical /
formulation name, lot number, MRSL and RSL compliance etc. (please refer
to ZDHC CIL and ZDHC CMS Framework version 1.0 – Chapter 5 for
expectations related to chemical inventory).
Section 7: Chemical Management
Question and Guidance Common Mistakes
14. Does your facility have an implementation plan to improve your chemicals management program?
15. Does your facility have an implementation plan to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals beyond
chemicals specified by regulations and/or Restricted Substance Lists / Manufacturing Restricted Substance
Lists?
16. Does your facility source already-approved or preferred chemicals from a positives list beyond chemicals
specified by regulations and/or Restricted Substance Lists / Manufacturing Restricted Substance Lists?
17. Does your facility collaborate with brands and/or chemical suppliers to select chemicals for alternatives
assessment?
18. Does your facility contribute a chemical analysis against human and environmental hazard criteria (e.g.,
persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic) to this alternatives process?
19. Does your facility contribute an analysis of lifecycle impacts to this alternatives process?
20. Can your manufacturing process chemicals be traced from product lot number back to chemical lot
number?
21. Does your facility have a documented Quality Assurance (QA) Program that includes performance of
chemicals?
22. Do your contractors/subcontractors source already-approved or preferred chemicals from a positives list
to replace chemicals not already included in RSL/MRSL?
23. Does your facility have documented business goals, processes and actions showing commitment (e.g.,
equipment, process, choice of substitute chemicals) to new sustainable chemistry innovation? Does your
facility communicate its goals, processes and actions to Brands and Suppliers?
Section 7: Chemical Management
Question and Guidance Common Mistakes
14. Does your facility have an implementation plan to improve your chemicals management program?
15. Does your facility have an implementation plan to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals beyond
chemicals specified by regulations and/or Restricted Substance Lists / Manufacturing Restricted Substance
Lists?
16. Does your facility source already-approved or preferred chemicals from a positives list beyond chemicals
specified by regulations and/or Restricted Substance Lists / Manufacturing Restricted Substance Lists?
17. Does your facility collaborate with brands and/or chemical suppliers to select chemicals for alternatives
assessment? Question 14 to 23 are Level 2 and Level 3
questions
18. Does your facility contribute a chemical in Section
analysis of Chemical
against human and environmentalManagement.
hazard criteria (e.g.,
persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic) to this alternatives process?
It would
19. Does your facility contribute beofdisclosed
an analysis when
lifecycle impacts to levelprocess?
this alternatives 1 is achieved.
They
20. Can your manufacturing will
process not bebe
chemicals discussed
traced from product lot during
number backthis training
to chemical lot
number?
given the inapplicability for most of the factories.
21. Does your facility have a documented Quality Assurance (QA) Program that includes performance of
chemicals?
22. Do your contractors/subcontractors source already-approved or preferred chemicals from a positives list
to replace chemicals not already included in RSL/MRSL?
23. Does your facility have documented business goals, processes and actions showing commitment (e.g.,
equipment, process, choice of substitute chemicals) to new sustainable chemistry innovation? Does your
facility communicate its goals, processes and actions to Brands and Suppliers?
Q&A
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