SUSTAINABILITY
NGOs WILL CONTINUE TO PRESSURE COMPANIES TO GET BETTER, BUT THEY WON’T HAVE TO
CAMPAIGN ON NEW ISSUES EVERY YEAR. THEY CAN EASILY ASK FOR IMPACT IMPROVEMENT
USING THE HIGG AND HOLD THE VALUE CHAIN ACCOUNTABLE.
standard, i.e. The Higg, but instead
we would see a mushrooming of
country-specific assessments with
a global cost and little impact. For
Transparency, we would not align
around a common standard, timeline
or method. The market would fill in
the void with confusing apps, new
certifications, logos and regulations.
As for Equal Partnership, we would
fail to recognize the shortcomings of
auditing, which alone cannot solve
the problem. We would not create a
culture of respect, and neither let
great improvement opportunities go
in waste.”
On th e other hand, adopting the
latest versions of the Higg would let
the overall industry see meaningful
improvements by 2020. There will
be several advantages that will
follow, such as instead of focusing
on ‘assessments’, there will be a
focus on ‘impact’. There will be
standardization and demonstration
of impact improvements to give
legitimacy to Governments to support
The Higg as a common language and
align country-specific assessments
around common frameworks such as
the OECD’s due diligence guidance.
NGOs will continue to pressure
companies to get better, but they
won’t have to campaign on new
issues every year. They can easily
ask for impact improvement using
The Higg and hold the value chain
accountable. Manufacturers and
brands will work closely in equal
partnership to scale innovation and
better performance. Success in equal
partnership will be demonstrated by
the fact that the financial benefits
will be spread throughout the
value chain to incentivize more
sustainability investment. Consumers
and other stakeholders will compare
products and companies against
one another using a common
transparency language.
Eastman Exports joins SAC
Well-managed factory of Eastman Exports
Tirupur-based leading apparel export
house, Eastman Exports, has recently joined
the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)
and will use its sustainability measurement
tool, ‘The Higg Index’, to drive
environmental and social responsibility
throughout its supply chain. This initiative
of Eastman Exports is really important as
with SAC’s membership, it is now a part
of over 200 global brands, retailers and
manufacturers, as well as Government, non-
profit environmental organizations, which
are collectively committed to improve the
supply chain sustainability in the apparel,
footwear and textile industries.
“We are pleased to be joining the SAC.
This will have a positive impact on product
sustainability over time, which will fuel our
organization’s strategy and leadership in
sustainability. Also, it will become a model
for how industries can collaborate to share
best practices and technologies globally
to make a positive impact on value chain
performance,” shared S. Alagesan, VP,
Quality Assurance, Sustainability and
CSR of Eastman Exports.
Being in relationship with the SAC, Eastman
Exports will contribute both data and
resources to support The Higg Index, which
measures the sustainability performance
and drives the supply chain transparency
and decision-making for better efficiency
and sustainability impact. (The Higg Index
is an open sourced, indicator-based tool
that allows suppliers, manufacturers,
brands and retailers to evaluate materials,
products, facilities and processes based
on environmental and product design
choices).
“We welcome the addition of Eastman
Exports to the SAC, and look forward
to their participation in this industry-
wide effort towards sustainability,” said
SAC’s CEO Jason Kibbey, adding,
“Having Eastman Exports as part of the
Coalition, widens the scope of our impact
within the industry and accelerates the
change we’re making towards responsible
industry actions.”
Eastman Exports with its continuous rapid
transformations keeps sustainability at the
core of its business. All their programmes
and processes revolve around the 3Ps
(People, Planet and Profit). The company
also has a sustainability leadership team
and strategy, focusing on individual
elements of environment. Additionally, it
has a very strong chemical management
system with integrated in-house capability
to test a wide range of chemicals.
www.apparelresources.com | JULY 16-31, 2017 | Apparel Online India
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