Higg FEM vs SLCP: What's the Difference and Do You Need Both?
Verification · 2026-08-12 · 2 min read · CR Global Assurance Editorial Team
Brands often ask suppliers for both a verified Higg FEM and a verified SLCP. They answer different questions. Here is a side-by-side comparison to help you plan both in one calendar.
"Do we need Higg FEM, SLCP, or both?" is one of the most common questions CR Global Assurance receives from factories. The short answer: if you supply apparel or footwear brands, you will probably be asked for both, because they measure different things. This comparison explains how they fit together.
The one-sentence difference
Higg FEM measures a facility's environmental performance — energy, water, wastewater, air, waste and chemicals. SLCP records social and labour conditions — wages, hours, recruitment, health and safety and worker treatment.
Side-by-side comparison
| Higg FEM | SLCP | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Environmental impacts | Social and labour conditions |
| Tool | Facility Environmental Module | Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) |
| Result | Scored (Levels 1–3 per impact area) | Verified data, no score |
| Starting point | Facility self-assessment | Facility self- or joint-assessment |
| Verification | Approved verifier, typically 1–2 days | Approved verifier body, announced or semi-announced |
| Key evidence | Meter data, test reports, chemical inventory | Payroll, time records, personnel files, interviews |
Where Higg FSLM fits
The Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM) is the social counterpart of FEM within the Higg Index. It uses the SLCP Converged Assessment Framework, so one verified SLCP assessment can feed the Higg FSLM rather than requiring a separate audit.
Planning both in one year
- Align your data years. Both tools look at historical records. Close your annual data (utilities, payroll, waste) early in the year.
- Avoid back-to-back visits in peak season. Plan verification windows around production peaks so key staff are available.
- Share one evidence library. Permits, licences, fire and electrical safety records and training records serve both verifications.
- Use one partner where possible. A verifier body that covers both reduces scheduling friction. CR Global provides Higg FEM verification and SLCP verification.
Do smaller suppliers need both?
Requirements come from your buyers. Many brands require FEM and SLCP from Tier 1 (assembly) facilities and FEM from Tier 2 (wet processing, fabric and yarn) facilities first, because those processes have the highest environmental impacts. Ask each customer which modules and verification levels they expect, and in which year.
Getting started
If you are new to either tool, start with Higg FEM training from the CR Global Assurance trainers (formerly CR Team) and a gap review. When you are ready, apply for verification.
Frequently asked questions
Is SLCP the same as Higg FSLM?
They are closely linked. Higg FSLM uses the SLCP Converged Assessment Framework, so a verified SLCP assessment can be used for the Higg FSLM.
Which is more important, Higg FEM or SLCP?
Neither — they cover different risks. Higg FEM covers environmental performance and SLCP covers labour conditions. Most apparel brands ask Tier 1 suppliers for both.
Can one company verify both Higg FEM and SLCP?
Yes, if it is approved for both programmes. CR Global Assurance provides both Higg FEM verification and SLCP verification.