In 2009 Walmart and Patagonia write a joint letter inviting CEOs of leading global companies to come together to develop an index that would measure the environmental impact of their products. One year later competitors from the apparel industry come together to begin collaborative work on the Higg Index. The SAC is formed. Today, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s vision is of an apparel, footwear, and textile industry that produces no unnecessary environmental harm and has a positive impact on the people and communities associated with its activities.

On the 10th anniversary, Executive Director AMINA RAZVI said: "Over the past 10 years, we have worked collaboratively to develop and launch a groundbreaking core suite of Higg Index tools that offer credible sustainability data. These tools have the potential to transform the industry, providing the building blocks necessary to help us make smarter and more informed decisions about the prod- ucts we make, how we make them, and how we partner together to reduce impact on people and the planet.

A decade after we launched, we find ourselves at an inflection point. The COVID-19 pandemic, changes to our climate, and social unrest have fundamentally altered our industry, our society, and our way of life. It is no longer an option to delay action. Worldwide, consumers and investors are prioritizing companies that prioritize sustainability."