An Introduction to FSLM

1. Higg Facility Social & Labor Module

2. Higg FSLM CAF1.5 Update

3. Value of Higg FSLM

4. Impacts Measured

5. Scoring

6. Verification

7. Transparency

8. Additional Features

Higg Facility Social & Labor Module

The Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM) measures the social impact of manufacturing across areas such as wages, working hours, health and safety, and employee treatment.

Higg FSLM CAF1.5 Update

The Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) recently updated the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) to version 1.5. This update ensures the consumer goods industry continues to measure the most important social and labor factors across the supply chain. CAF version 1.5, commonly referred to as CAF 1.5, will be rolled into the Higg FSLM on December 5.

The 2022 Higg FSLM will be available to purchase starting September 1. However, if users start the 2022 FSLM before the CAF 1.5 integration is complete, they will automatically be directed to complete the older assessment, CAF 1.4.

Update: CAF 1.5 will be available in the 2022 FSLM on December 5.

While CAF 1.4 is still a valid tool to measure social impact, it is important to many brands that their suppliers complete the most up to date version of the CAF. Brands and suppliers need to communicate with each other to ensure suppliers wait to begin their 2022 FSLM if 1.5 is required. This will ensure suppliers are reporting the most important information related to their social and labor practices.

For more information, please refer to the FAQ Page: Higg FSLM CAF1.5 Update.

Value of Higg FSLM

Brands, retailers, and manufacturers of all sizes can use the Higg FSLM to assess social and labor conditions for the workers who produce billions of consumer goods each year. The FSLM is built on the converged framework of the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP). On the Higg platform, the scored FSLM helps improve social and labor conditions for supply chain workers while reducing audit fatigue for factories around the world.

Impacts Measured

The FSLM measures overall social labor practices in facilities. It tracks management systems, operational controls, oversight, and worker and stakeholder engagement. Facilities can use the Higg assessment to understand performance hotspots and reduce audit fatigue. Instead of focusing on compliance, they can dedicate time and resources to making lasting systemic changes. The FSLM measures:

Recruitment and Hiring
Working Hours
Wages and Benefits
Worker Treatment
Worker Involvement
Health and Safety
Termination
Management Systems
Above and beyond

Scoring

The FSLM scoring system is designed to be universal and drive improved social performance in manufacturing facilities around the world. Points are only assigned to universal questions that drive improved actions, decisions, and practices that lead to better social and labor sustainability outcomes.

Verification

FSLM verification confirms that you understood and answered your self-assessment questions correctly. Verification ensures external stakeholders that your data is reliable. FSLM verification process follows the SLCP assessment process. Click here to learn more about the SLCP assessment process. For a list of approved Higg FSLM verifiers, click here. This list will continue to grow as more individuals complete the verifier application and training process.

Transparency

Consumers are demanding transparency around working conditions for every step of the supply chain. Let your stakeholders know that you use the FSLM to measure the social impacts of your facility to drive performance improvement. The criteria for publicizing FSLM scores are currently being developed.

Additional Features

Benchmarking With the FSLM benchmarking feature, you can set a performance baseline to compare your facility’s performance year over year, helping you identify performance hotspots and track improvement over time. Robust analytics help you understand your Higg data and can inform your sustainability strategy. You can also compare your sustainability performance to other companies like yours and see how your sustainability performance compares to global and regional averages.

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