As a result of the commitment to address the issue of climate change, as stated in the London Declaration of the ISO - International Organization for Standardization, ISO and the IAF - International Accreditation Forum, have made an amendment to Chapter 4 of the Harmonized Framework (Appendix 2 of Annex…

As a result of the commitment to address the issue of climate change, as stated in the London Declaration of the ISO - International Organization for Standardization, ISO and the IAF - International Accreditation Forum, have made an amendment to Chapter 4 of the Harmonized Framework (Appendix 2 of Annex…

ASSIMAGRA - the Portuguese Association of the Mineral Resources Industry - has developed the StonebyPortugal initiative for Portuguese stone companies, which aims to convey an image of sophistication and quality, with a guarantee of origin, making it possible to increase the level of credibility of certified Portuguese stone among natural stone consumers, and increasing the competitiveness of this sector at national and international level.

The initiative includes Stone.PT certification, an essential component for guaranteeing excellence, sustainability and innovation in the Portuguese natural stone industry. The audits arecarried out by APCER and are based on the StonePT Specification, ensuring that the companies meet strict standards of quality, safety and environmental responsibility. The decision to certify and award the seal is made by Stone.pt.

This certification is segmented into different categories, which can be applied to the company, the products/raw materials and their applications. It applies to Portuguese companies operating in the natural stone sector, namely:

• Extractive companies;
• Manufacturing companies;
• Extractive and processing companies.

The certification categories are divided into

1. S.PT Quality: Product certification seal, which attests to the conformity of the production control procedures and the verification of the physical-mechanical characteristics of the products, essential for the correct application of natural stone.
2. S.PT Origin: Seal of origin control, awarded to quarries, which guarantees the traceability of the raw material from extraction to processing, maintaining the denomination of origin of Portuguese stone.
3. S.PT Safety: Seal verifying safety conditions in quarries, which ensures the implementation of best practices for a safe and healthy occupational environment.
4. S.PT Green: Environmental verification seal, which highlights companies' commitment to the continuous improvement of their environmental performance and social responsibility.

Certification Levels:

Companies can obtain different levels of certification - Essential, Premium and Excellence - depending on the degree to which they meet the requirements of the different categories.

 

For more information on Stone.PT audits and the benefits of certification, see our brochure or visit the Stone.PT website.

The Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) is an initiative by amfori that aims to help companies improve their environmental performance in global supply chains through a comprehensive environmental management system. This system supports companies in identifying, managing, and improving their environmental impacts, promoting sustainable business practices.

The amfori BEPI initiative was established with the aim of providing a structured and efficient approach to environmental management within supply chains. The initiative was launched in response to the growing need for transparency and sustainability in global trade, offering companies tools and resources to improve their environmental footprint and comply with international environmental regulations.

Components Evaluated

The amfori BEPI audit covers a wide range of critical environmental areas, including:

• Environmental Management System: Evaluates the existence and effectiveness of the environmental management system implemented by the company to ensure sustainable practices.
• Energy and Climate: Analyzes energy consumption and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, encouraging energy efficiency.
• Emissions to the Atmosphere: Examines atmospheric pollutant emissions and the control measures implemented to minimize air quality impact.
• Water and Effluents: Assesses water usage management and effluent treatment, encouraging consumption reduction and sustainable water resource management.
• Waste: Examines waste production and management, promoting reduction, reuse, and recycling to minimize environmental impact.
• Biodiversity: Evaluates the impacts of the company's activities on local biodiversity and promotes practices that protect and preserve ecosystems.
• Chemicals: Analyzes the use and management of chemical substances, promoting substitution with less harmful alternatives and responsible management.
• Noise: Examines the company's noise emissions and mitigation measures to minimize the impact on the environment and local communities.

Applicability

The amfori BEPI audits are applicable to a wide range of companies within global supply chains, including manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders in the industry. The tool is used by both large multinational corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises that wish to improve their environmental performance and meet the growing expectations of consumers and regulators regarding sustainability.

Audit Process

The amfori BEPI audit process is meticulous and aims to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the environmental data reported by companies. APCER is qualified to perform the role of verifying these data. The process includes:

• Member InvitatioProfile Creation: The company creates a profile and fills in location details.
• Risk Assessment: The amfori platform generates a risk assessment based on the company's activities, including relevant Environmental Performance Areas.
• Assignment of Improvement Activities: Based on the risk profile, the amfori member requests the company to undertake environmental monitoring or implement other improvement activities.On-site Audit: APCER conducts the on-site audit and prepares a report.
• Technical Review of the Audit Report
• Report Submission: The auditor submits the final report on the amfori platform within ten business days after monitoring.
• Follow-up Audit: Investigates only the initial findings. Scheduling is recommended between 2 and 12 months after the initial audit to allow for the implementation and documentation of necessary improvements.

Audit Frequency

To ensure continuous monitoring and constant improvement, amfori BEPI audits must be conducted annually. This frequency allows companies to closely monitor their environmental performance and implement improvements regularly and systematically.

The Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) is an environmental assessment tool developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC) to measure and quantify the environmental impacts of production facilities in the fashion and textile industry.

The Higg FEM emerged as part of a joint effort between fashion industry leaders, NGOs, and sustainability experts, aiming to create a tool that promotes transparency and continuous improvement in production operations. This module is part of the Higg Index toolkit, created by the SAC, which aims to provide companies with a standardized way to evaluate environmental and social performance throughout the entire value chain.

Components Evaluated

The Higg FEM assesses a variety of critical areas in a facility's operations, including:

• Environmental Management System
• Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management: Analyzes energy consumption and associated emissions, encouraging the implementation of energy efficiency measures and carbon reduction.
• Water Use: Assesses water resource management, encouraging practices to reduce consumption and effective wastewater treatment.
• Waste Management: Examines waste production and management, promoting waste minimization and the implementation of recycling practices.
• Chemicals: Evaluates the use and management of chemical substances, encouraging substitution with less harmful alternatives and responsible management.

Applicability

The Higg FEM is applicable to a wide range of production facilities within the fashion and textile industry, including garment factories, weaving mills, dyeing plants, and other processing facilities. The tool is used by both large international brands and small to medium-sized enterprises aiming to improve their environmental performance and meet consumer demands for greater transparency and sustainability.

APCER as a Verifier

APCER is an approved verification body for Higg FEM verifications, possessing the necessary experience and qualifications to conduct these verifications rigorously and impartially. Our commitment is to ensure that facilities comply with the highest sustainability standards, contributing to a more responsible and transparent fashion industry.

Verification Process

The Higg FEM verification process involves several critical steps to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the reported data. As a verifier for the Higg FEM program, our role is essential in maintaining the integrity of the process.

The process includes:

• Self-Assessment: Facilities complete the Higg FEM questionnaire with detailed data on their practices and environmental performance.
• Independent Verification: APCER reviews the provided data, conducts on-site audits when necessary, and verifies compliance with the criteria established by SAC.
• Report and Analysis: Verification results are compiled into a detailed report, highlighting areas of compliance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Action Plan: Based on the report, the facility develops an action plan to address critical areas and continuously improve their environmental performance.

Verification Frequency

To ensure the continuity of good practices and continuous improvement, Higg FEM verifications must be conducted annually. This frequency allows for regular monitoring of the environmental performance of facilities and facilitates the implementation of corrective actions more effectively.

Growing global awareness of sustainability and responsible practices in the value chain has driven the need for effective tools to measure and improve companies' social and environmental impact.

The Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (FSLM) is one such tool, created to help organizations manage and monitor social and labor performance at their facilities. This module is an integral part of the Higg Index platform, which offers a holistic approach to sustainability in the fashion industry.

It aims to provide rigorous and credible verification, enabling companies to comply with social responsibility standards and promote a fair and safe working environment. By choosing the Higg FSLM verification, companies demonstrate a clear commitment to transparency and continuous improvement.

 

Components assessed

The Higg FSLM assesses multiple dimensions of social and working conditions in production facilities, including:

• Recruitment and hiring
• Working hours
• Wages and benefits
• Treatment of workers
• Worker participation
• Health and safety
• Termination of employment
• Management system
• Workforce standards of facilities and value chain partners
• External involvement in social and labour issues with other facilities or organizations
• Community involvement

 

Who does it apply to?

The Higg FSLM is applicable to all types of production facilities, from small factories to large units, in various industrial sectors. It is a crucial tool for brands, retailers and suppliers who want to ensure that their operations are aligned with the best social and labor standards.

 

APCER as a Verification Body

APCER is an approved verification body for Higg FSLM verifications, holding the necessary experience and qualifications to conduct these verifications in a rigorous and impartial manner. Our commitment is to ensure that facilities comply with the highest sustainability standards, contributing to a more responsible and transparent fashion industry.

 

Verification process

The Higg FSLM verification process involves several critical steps to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the data reported. As the verification body for the Cascale Higg FSLM program, our role is essential to guarantee the integrity of the process.

The process includes:

1. Self-assessment: Facilities complete the Higg FSLM questionnaire with detailed data on their social and labor practices.
2. Independent Verification: APCER reviews the data provided, conducts on-site audits and verifies compliance with the established criteria.
3. Reporting and Analysis: The results of the verification are compiled into a detailed report, highlighting areas of compliance and identifying opportunities for improvement.
4. Action Plan: Based on the report, the facility develops an action plan to address the critical areas and continuously improve its social and labor performance.

 

Frequency of verification

To ensure the continuity of good practices and continuous improvement, Higg FSLM checks can be carried out annually. This periodicity allows for regular monitoring of the environmental performance of the facilities and facilitates the implementation of corrective actions more effectively.

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