Cascale, previously the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has released the most recent creation of the Higg Brand and Retail Module (BRM), reaffirming its commitment to improving sustainability assessment tools for the fashion industry. The Higg BRM, which is part of the larger Higg Index package, is intended to assist brands and retailers in evaluating their ESG performance across global value chains.
While the upgrade only makes minor improvements, it improves usability by refining instructions, expanding social analytics, and aligning with industry frameworks like Textile Exchange’s Material Benchmark and the ZDHC Brands to Zero initiative. Crucially, the module remains compatible with prior versions, allowing businesses to monitor their sustainable progress year after year.
The tool now offers a more thorough evaluation of a company’s entire value chain. This aligns with the industry’s growing emphasis on transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. While still optional, verification of sustainability data is now accessible to all users, not just Cascale members. This promotes greater credibility and standardization of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data.
The refinement process involved extensive consultation with 78 member brands and analysis of 15 sustainability frameworks.
The updated Higg BRM incorporates insights from key partners like Textile Exchange, ZDHC, Fair Wear, and STTI. This ensures alignment with best practices in areas like circularity, biodiversity, and responsible sourcing. The Higg BRM is designed to help companies evaluate their sustainability performance in comparison to their industry peers. The updates aim to enhance the tool’s effectiveness in driving positive change within the industry. The availability of verification will help to reduce greenwashing, and help companies prove their sustainability claims.
In essence, Cascale has made the Higg BRM more robust, comprehensive, and credible, reflecting the increasing demand for sustainability and transparency in the apparel and footwear sector. The development of ESG tools like the Higg BRM is becoming more and more important as consumer demand for transparency rises and regulatory demands increase. The acceptance of the most recent update—and the level of rigor with which companies choose to interact with it—will determine whether it is a true advancement or a calculated reaction to industry expectations.
