Sourcing expert questions SAC’s relevance

LOS ANGELES – A leading global apparel sourcing expert has questioned the continued relevance of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition in the post-Covid 19 world. In a damning op-ed, Chris Bryer of Selective World Sourcing claims the way the SAC is funded raises clear conflicts of interest. He also suggests the SAC is hamstrung by a lack of oversight. “Without strong oversight and open, regular KPI reporting on the biggest brands and retailers, you are nothing more than an industry lobbyist,” says Bryer.

Bryer says there is serious industry confusion about the actual purpose of the Higg Index- the SAC’s flagship tool, which was spun-out as a separate entity last year. Bryer says: “Other than as a badge of honour, the meaning of a Higg Logo is generally considered meaningless within the sourcing industry. I am sorry, but a self-assessment tool is not going to move the needle.”