Cascale — formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition — is sharpening its focus for 2025 and beyond. For brands and manufacturers navigating the organisation’s tools and requirements, here is what is on the horizon.
The Name Change and What It Signals
The rebranding from SAC to Cascale, completed in 2023, was more than cosmetic. It signalled a strategic shift towards positioning the organisation as a broader systems-change body — one that works not just on measurement tools but on influencing policy, investment flows, and industry norms. In practical terms, this means Cascale is increasingly engaging with policymakers on topics like the EU Green Claims Directive and extended producer responsibility frameworks.
Higg Index Evolution
The Higg Index suite remains Cascale’s flagship contribution to supply chain transparency. Key developments include:
- Decarbonisation pathways — Cascale is working with facilities and brands to align Higg FEM reporting with sector-specific science-based targets, building on the FEM 4.0 update
- Higg BRM (Brand & Retail Module) — increased focus on what brands themselves are doing, not just their suppliers. The BRM is expected to see greater adoption as regulatory pressure on brand-level sustainability claims intensifies
- Data interoperability — Cascale is working to make Higg data more compatible with other disclosure frameworks, including GRI, CDP, and the emerging ESRS standards under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
The Push for Chemical Transparency
Cascale continues to align its tools with ZDHC’s chemical management standards. The expectation that facilities demonstrate ZDHC MRSL conformance — and ideally use products with Level 2 or Level 3 Gateway listings — is becoming a baseline rather than a differentiator. Brands sourcing from ZDHC-aligned facilities are increasingly using this as a procurement filter, particularly for Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.
Regulatory Tailwinds
Perhaps the most significant external pressure on Cascale’s roadmap comes from regulation. The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), combined with the Green Claims Directive, means that sustainability claims made by fashion brands will need to be substantiated with verified data. Higg-based verification provides one credible pathway for that substantiation — but only if the underlying data quality is robust.
For manufacturers, this is a reminder that annual Higg verifications are not just about passing a score. They are about building a data infrastructure that will be increasingly required — by brands, by regulators, and by consumers.
What This Means for Suppliers
The direction of travel is clear: sustainability performance measurement in the textile and apparel sector is becoming more rigorous, more integrated with regulatory requirements, and more consequential for commercial relationships. Facilities that invest now in building credible, verified sustainability data will be better placed to meet brand requirements and emerging regulatory obligations.
For suppliers working with Cascale member brands, Minerva Sustainability offers Higg FEM verification services and can help you understand how the evolving Cascale landscape affects your compliance obligations. Contact us to discuss your next verification cycle.