Higg FSLM Scoring Methodology

Higg FSLM Scoring Methodology

The FSLM assesses social & labor conditions in global facilities where workers produce billions of garments, textiles, and footwear every year. The FSLM helps manufacturers, brands, and retailers understand the social and labor impacts of their value chain, reduce audit fatigue, and make proactive improvements.

The foundation of the FSLM is the Social & Labor Convergence Program’s (SLCP) Converged Assessment Framework (CAF). The FSLM is continuously updated and improved in sync with SLCP’s framework. Any changes to scoring will be posted here and in the appropriate sections.

The FSLM scoring system is designed to be universal and drive behavior change. This means points are only assigned to universal questions that drive actions, decisions, and practices that lead to better social and labor sustainability outcomes. Points are not assigned to questions with text entry answers or with conditions that serve as information only.

The first version of the FSLM scoring system is applicable to FSLM CAF v1.3, which was launched in October 2020 The FSLM scoring system outlined below was introduced in June 2021. The current CAF version on the platform is CAF v1.6, launched March 2024. 

The Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM) CAF scores a facility on its performance across nine sections:

  1. Recruitment and Hiring
  2. Working Hours
  3. Wages and Benefits
  4. Employee Treatment
  5. Employee Involvement
  6. Health and Safety
  7. Termination
  8. Management Systems
  9. Empowering People and Communities
 

The score is out of a possible 100 points. Each section in the facility social and labor tool consists of 100 points and is weighted differently based on Step weightage in the total score.

The FSLM consists of three steps, and each section from the assessment is grouped into three steps. The FSLM Step Score is out of possible 100 points.  

Each question of the Higg FSLM is scored differently based on the seriousness of the issue and compliant with the international labor standard or local legal requirement. Questions are categorized into four risk levels and weighed differently. The Higg FSLM Risk Score is based on the total number of questions of a specific risk level achieved divided by the total maximum number of a specific risk level a module is applicable to. The Higg FSLM Risk Score is out of a possible 100 points of each Risk level. 

Questions related to local legal requirements are categorized as Legal Compliance Risk and calculated based on the total number of questions of a specific risk level achieved divided by the total maximum number of a specific risk level a module is applicable to. The Higg FSLM Legal Compliance Risk Score is out of a possible 100 points. 

NOTE: In the Facility Profile section, if you answer “No” to the question relating to “Operating license/registration is available and up to date” (FP-OPE-1), you will receive a score of zero for the entire assessment. Facilities must have a valid operating license to receive a score.