Data for Due Diligence Project: A Unified Approach to Sustainability

The apparel, leather, textile and footwear industries have long struggled with inefficiencies in sustainability efforts due to fragmented initiatives and audits. A collaborative effort to overcome these challenges saw Cascale, Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) and ZDHC introducing groundbreaking initiatives: the Data Matrix and the Factory Improvement Journey.
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Together, these initiatives aim to create a standardized, transparent and scalable framework for measuring and improving environmental
performance across the industry.

The Factory Improvement Journey: A Clear, Customizable Path to Excellence

Working with the Data Matrix, the Factory Improvement Journey provides a structured pathway for factories to advance their sustainability performance. This initiative unifies existing programs and establishes a tailored roadmap for factories, ensuring regional adaptability while maintaining global alignment.
The Factory Improvement Journey was developed based on a comprehensive gap analysis and incorporates data from Higg FEM 4.0, ZDHC, and Aii program records. Key focus areas include energy efficiency, wastewater management, chemical usage, waste and air emissions.

Core Elements of the Factory Improvement Journey

  • Harmonized Model: Aligns with leading industry programs to ensure coherence and compatibility.
  • Impact Area Focus: Addresses key environmental factors to maximize improvement potential.
  • Flexibility: Allows factories to prioritize high-impact areas without redundant efforts.
  • Regional Adaptation: Tailors pathways to reflect local challenges and opportunities.
  • Actionable Outcomes: Provides clear improvement pathways and customized recommendations based on factory maturity levels.

A pilot program involving over 100 factories across Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh and other regions validated the framework. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of structured tools that align with industry standards and sustainability goals, reinforcing the need for continuous refinement of these initiatives.

Factory Improvement Journey

The Data Matrix: A Universal Standard for Sustainability Performance

The Data Matrix functions as a "credit score" for environmental sustainability, providing a transparent and standardized evaluation of a supplier’s performance in key impact areas—chemicals, water, wastewater and energy. By translating diverse sustainability program requirements into a common language, the Data Matrix eliminates duplication, reduces audit fatigue and enhances trust among brands, suppliers and stakeholders.

This first iteration of the Data Matrix marks a significant step toward a more efficient and aligned sustainability ecosystem. Ongoing integration with existing tools like Higg FEM will further streamline sustainability reporting and drive impactful change.

Core Elements of the Data Matrix

  • Reduces Audit Fatigue: A single evaluation aligned with the Data Matrix can serve multiple programs.
  • Drives Resource Efficiency: Suppliers can focus their efforts on meaningful environmental improvements rather than redundant reporting.
  • Enhances Transparency & Trust: A standardized sustainability score fosters accountability across the supply chain.
  • Connects Initiatives: Programs remain distinct yet interoperable, enabling greater collaboration.

Case studies

Explore real-world examples of how our existing programs have helped factories improve their environmental performance. These case studies highlight the impact of collaborative initiatives and data-driven solutions in driving sustainability across the industry.

Apparel Impact Institute
A Strategic Approach to Target Setting in Tier 2
Case study
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Apparel Impact Institute
Benchmarking and Target Setting with a Focus on Collaboration
Case study
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Apparel Impact Institute
Asian FabricX
Case study
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Apparel Impact Institute
Driving Change Beyond Compliance
Case study
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Cascale
CIEL Textile
Case study
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Cascale
Hirdaramani
Case study
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Cascale
Gap Inc. Leads the Charge in Sustainability Through Supplier Engagement in MCAP
Case study
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Cascale
Sappi’s Data-Driven Sustainability
Case study
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ZDHC
Alroubaia: Adopting safer chemical management in the fashion value chain
Case study
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ZDHC
ATREFIL: Implementing purchasing procedures and enhancing internal safety measures
Case study
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ZDHC
DEMCO: Adopting sustainable chemical management systems to benefit working conditions and the environment
Case study
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ZDHC
Evlox: Improving chemical managment systems
Case study
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ZDHC
Giza: Improving chemical management systems, policy and safety procedures
Case study
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ZDHC
VTL: Optimizing chemical use and efficiency through ZDHC CMS integration
Case study
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A Collaborative Step Forward

The Data Matrix and Factory Improvement Journey together set the foundation for a more transparent, efficient and impactful approach to sustainability in manufacturing. By aligning on a common language and structured improvement pathway, these initiatives drive measurable progress, reduce inefficiencies and foster industry-wide collaboration. This marks the beginning of a transformative shift towards a more sustainable and accountable future for the apparel, leather, textile and footwear sector.

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