Detailed explanation of HIGG certification counseling issues

1. Is it necessary to have a third party verify the completed self-assessment form?

A: Not necessarily a third party. Sometimes the buyer will verify. The specific situation depends on the requirements of the initiator. Generally, the brand will not specify a verification party, and the factory can find a third-party verification agency on its own. Whether verification is required depends on the buyer's requirements.

2. What kind of MSDS meets the requirements?

A: Please check ISO11014-1:1994/GB16483-2008 standard

3. Is there a sample MRSL compliance document? Do all chemicals used need MRSL compliance documents?

A: There is a template for MRSL compliance documents. All chemicals used need MRSL compliance documents.

4. Do all three levels of Higg have to be verified? Or is it up to the factory to choose?

A: Higg does not have "pass"/"fail". Higg FEM is a process of discovering deficiencies, gradually improving them, and reaching a better level. Generally speaking, the sponsor/buyer will have an expectation of the score for the factory, which will be relatively low in the first and second years. In the third year, as the factory gradually improves, the buyer will raise the score requirement. (Shenzhen Kendaxin Enterprise)

5. What does the facility type mean in the first part of the filling?

A: Facility type refers to the type of factory. For example, a weaving factory, a dyeing factory, a zipper manufacturer, a hangtag manufacturer, or a manufacturer of accessories and clothing. The facility type is selected from these types.

6. The factory has a water reuse system, but the reused water is not fully used and is still discharged to the municipality for treatment. Does the factory still fall within the scope of the ZLD?

A: In this case, the plant does not fall within the ZLD range. Only when the recycled water reaches 100% can it be considered zero discharge.

7. If a factory uses river water or groundwater, but the local government does not require a water extraction permit or water use permit, is this compliant?

A: It is not compliant. You must have a water extraction permit or water use permit. If the local government does not require it, please ask the local Environmental Protection Bureau to issue a certificate.

8. How do you distinguish between absolute values ​​and standardized values? If you use invoices to calculate, which category does it belong to?

A: For example, if 800 tons of water were used in 2019 to produce 100 tons of cloth, the absolute value is 800 tons. The normalization is 8 (800 ÷ 100). The use of invoices for calculation has nothing to do with the above. Statistical data can be calculated using invoice data, flow meters or metering meters. If an estimate is to be made, there must be sufficient reasons.

9. Regarding statistics on energy consumption, wastewater, and groundwater extraction, if there are no bills or invoices, and even meters are useless, are estimated calculations acceptable?

Answer: There is a water meter in the underground canal.

Energy consumption: Gasoline and diesel. Generally, if you have a fuel card, you can get the usage amount.

Bills and invoices: The cost of wastewater treatment will be included on the back of the water bill. If not, it can be estimated. Calculate the amount of water that escapes when the factory uses water, and subtract the amount of water that escapes to get the amount of wastewater discharged.

10. If a garment factory only does sewing, cutting and ironing, is it possible to ignore the monitoring of wastewater, exhaust gas and noise detection?

Answer: Check the specific requirements of the environmental impact assessment approval.

11. How to fill in the facility process? These material factories are not involved.

A: Please fill in the form according to the actual operation process of the factory. The raw materials involved in the self-assessment form basically cover all the materials. If not, first check whether it is a different name of the same substance. If still not, you can record it and inform the verifier during verification.

12. Is it possible to conduct a self-assessment if there is no environmental impact assessment?

A: You can conduct a self-assessment, but documents related to environmental impact assessments cannot receive points.

13. How to count the exhaust emissions from the company’s vehicles?

A: The exhaust gas of a car depends on what kind of gasoline is used and what the fuel rate is. You can test the exhaust gas of a car and then calculate all the exhaust gas emissions based on the fuel consumption. (Shenzhen Kendaxin Enterprise)

14. Is it okay for a factory to only have the environmental impact registration form and registration number?

A: Yes, to check whether your factory complies with legal requirements, please check the Construction Project Environmental Impact Assessment Classification Management Catalogue.

15. If there is no three-waste test report, must the invoice be uploaded to the self-assessment?

A: The lack of a test report for the three wastes will affect the corresponding score, but a plan can be established. Invoices do not need to be uploaded, and the verifier will verify them on site.

16. How to check whether a chemical complies with the MRSL?

A: Whether it complies with MRSL depends on the limit. You can ask the chemical purchaser whether they can provide a screening report on MRSL and whether the chemicals purchased by the factory are from the positive list of chemicals. If it is only chemicals such as engine oil for mechanical maintenance, you only need to check whether the ingredients meet the limit of MRSL.

17. Do all chemicals need to be tested annually to support the factory's own declaration of conformity?

A: You don’t have to do the testing yourself. You can ask the chemical supplier to provide the test report. However, if you don’t have one, you need to provide the test report every year (except for chemicals not used in production).

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