Wave & Isles

Understanding Higg FEM

A practical guide to improving environmental performance within apparel manufacturing.

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Executive summary

Higg FEM helps facilities measure environmental performance, organise data and identify improvement priorities across energy, water, waste, air emissions, chemicals and environmental management systems.

Why it matters

Customer expectations increasingly require facilities to provide reliable environmental information. Higg FEM creates a structured language for reviewing facility performance and identifying opportunities for improvement.

What Higg FEM measures

EMS
Energy
Water
Wastewater
Waste
Chemicals

Common challenges

Data consistency

Records may be incomplete, inconsistent or difficult to reconcile across departments.

Evidence quality

Facilities may have practices in place but lack organised evidence to demonstrate them.

Improvement planning

Assessment results need to be translated into practical operational actions.

Best practice

Frequently asked questions

Is Higg FEM only about compliance?

No. It is most valuable when used as a management tool to improve environmental performance.

When should preparation begin?

Preparation should be continuous, but a structured review before submission helps identify data gaps.