Higg Product Tools MSI Contributor Learn more about the MSI Contributor

Learn more about the MSI Contributor

What is The Higg MSI?

The path to creating more sustainable products requires a clear understanding of the environmental performance of the materials used in those products. This requires reliable and comparable data.

Right now, companies are collecting an extraordinary amount of information from their supply chains, but they are using different methods and approaches to understand environmental impacts. This makes it impossible to compare environmental impacts of materials and empower the industry to make more sustainable choices.

The Higg MSI sets a standard approach to collecting life cycle assessment data for apparel, footwear and textile materials. By measuring all materials in a common way, we empower the industry to compare materials and make informed choices that are more sustainable for the planet.

For more information, register to use the Higg MSI at higg.org, and find guidance at howtohigg.org.

Higg MSI Components

The Higg MSI has three key components (use the link below for more information):

  1. Taxonomy: a way to collect and organize material production data.
  2. Materials data: verified cradle-to-gate material data that meet specific Higg MSI requirements.
  3. Scoring methodology: a way to interpret the data. The Higg MSI translates material production data into a single environmental score.

Learn more about The Higg MSI in this video:

Why should I submit data to The Higg MSI?

By submitting your data to The Higg MSI, you contribute to an industry materials database of environmental information. You will be able to differentiate your materials from competitors'. Your will also contribute to an unprecedented repository of information and deepen environmental understanding within the industry. Finally, you will be able to use this information to make more sustainable decisions in your business.

How do I submit data to The Higg MSI?

Here are some suggested steps for data submission:

  1. Watch the video below.
  2. Read about Higg MSI methodology and review the MSI Contributor guidance document (see below).
  3. Log in and get comfortable using The MSI Contributor.
  4. Prepare your data.
  5. Enter and submit your data.
  6. Work with the MSI Gatekeeper to get your data approved.

What happens to my data?

After data is submitted via The Higg MSI Contributor, it is reviewed by the MSI Gatekeeper. This review will determine if new or updated data meets Higg MSI requirements may be entered into The Higg MSI. Once the data is approved, it will be modeled and scored by a Higg Co Data Manager. Once it is scored, the submitter may need to pay a fee for the quality assurance process to learn the results. Then the submitter may make a final decision about publication of their results in The Higg MSI.

Higg MSI use in Other Higg Product Tools

The Higg MSI is also used in The Higg Product Module (Higg PM). This tool is meant to calculate life-cycle impact assessment results of products using a consistent methodology. Higg MSI material impact results are used as part of a product assessment in the Higg PM.

Security and Confidentiality

SAC agrees to:

  • Hold the data in strict trust and confidence.
  • Refrain from using or permitting others to use the data in any manner or for any purpose not expressly permitted by the Terms of Use.
  • Refrain from disclosing or permitting others to disclose the data to any third party without obtaining your express prior written consent on a case by case basis.
  • SAC may disclose data and authorize use of such data consistent with the Terms of Use with contractors and service providers who have executed an agreement imposing on the contractor obligations of confidentiality consistent with this provision.
  • SAC will protect the data from unauthorized use, access, or disclosure in the same manner as SAC protects its own confidential or proprietary information of a similar nature, and with no less than the greater of reasonable care and industry-standard care.
For more information, please refer to the Terms of Use and Security Overview below.

How do I get help?

  1. Many of your questions may be answered by the Higg MSI Methodology Document or FAQs on howtohigg.org.
  2. If you still need help, feel free to reach out to SAC and Higg Co by clicking on the Support widget in the lower right hand corner.