The FHCM and CNMI ESG framework, explained simply
In May 2026 FHCM and CNMI published a voluntary framework giving the fashion supply chain a common language on ESG topics. Here is what it contains and how to use it. The official document remains the one from its publishers.
What it is
FHCM is the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, CNMI is the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. The framework comes from a Franco-Italian initiative launched in 2024 to lighten the burden on suppliers, especially small workshops, which today answer different questionnaires for every client. It is called ESG Harmonized Expectations and is made of business conduct principles on governance, health and safety, labour conditions and the environment.
It is voluntary: it is not a law and not a certification. Following it does not relieve a supplier from complying with applicable laws, and each client remains free to shape its own supplier due diligence.
The 7 essential commitments
They are the core of the framework: seven commitments the supplier makes to the client.
No child labour
The supplier prohibits child labour and does not use it.
No forced labour
The supplier prohibits forced labour and does not use it.
Workers' health and safety
It guarantees there is no severe and immediate impact on the health and safety of workers and other people, in line with the applicable laws.
Compliance with environmental laws
It guarantees its practices are in line with all laws on pollution and the environment.
Minimum wage, recorded and reasonable hours
It pays workers no less than the legal minimum wage and does not falsify working-hours records. Hours are recorded transparently and reliably and are not excessive under the applicable laws.
No discrimination, violence or harassment
It does not tolerate or take part in discrimination, violence or harassment, whether physical or psychological.
Legality, ethics and transparency towards the client
It complies with all laws and regulations and acts ethically and with the highest transparency towards the client, sharing complete, accurate and lawful information and documents.
4 pillars, 21 themes, 50 expectations
Under the commitments there are 50 expectations, grouped into 21 themes and 4 pillars. For each one, the supplier states whether it meets it. Not all apply to everyone: a canteen or housing, for example, only matter for those who have them.
Governance
4 themes, 8 expectations
The legal right to operate, acceptance of the client's code of conduct, responsibility for your own supply chain, production capacity and business ethics.
Health and safety
6 themes, 17 expectations
Risks in premises and operations, machines and protective equipment, emergencies and firefighting, workplace hygiene, chemicals and workers' housing.
Labour conditions
5 themes, 14 expectations
Workers' rights, employment relationships, working hours, wages and compliance with labour laws.
Environment
6 themes, 11 expectations
Monitoring of impacts, waste, reducing negative impacts, energy, natural resources and compliance with environmental laws.
Documents for audits
The framework comes with a list of documents a supplier may keep ready for an audit: 67 items divided by pillar, in a core list and an optional one. The list asks to adapt it to the size of the supplier: a small workshop does not have the same papers as a large manufacturer.
Some documents, such as payslips, ID documents or medical check-ups, contain workers' personal data: they must be handled with particular care.
How SCDD Moda uses it
SCDD Moda turns the framework into simple questions. The applicability questions pick the expectations that concern you, the self-assessment has you answer one by one, the dossier collects the documents on the list and the improvement plan organises what to fix.
The short titles, the plain-language guides and the links between expectations and documents are our own reading of the framework. The official text is the one from FHCM and CNMI.
Official sources
The original documents are published by their publishers. SCDD is not affiliated with or endorsed by FHCM or CNMI.
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