The long-term vision for the Aii Benchmark is to create a unified, credible, and widely adopted standard that enables consistent measurement of energy use and GHG emissions across the apparel and footwear industry. To achieve this, Aii is working with industry partners to integrate the benchmark into existing data collection and verification systems, allowing facilities and brands to access a single, interoperable platform for performance assessment. Three data collection pathways are currently envisioned to ensure full accessibility:

Scenario 1 - FEM Brand/Supplier user

Context: For users of Higg FEM as the primary channel, with minor adaptations and additional information gathered, including a production-map module.

1. User completes FEM - If needed, completes an additional to provide the production map and any extra data required for benchmarking.
2. User opts in to be evaluated against the standard and receive a certified benchmark score.
3. User completes FEM verification including production map module, with guidance from the Technical Review Committee. 
4. After verification, the user downloads relevant FEM data and submits to Aii to complete benchmark certification against the standard.
5. The certified benchmark score is shared back to FEM via API for display.
6. With agreement, Aii and Cascale may host the calculation and approval process on the Higg platform for FEM users.

Scenario 2 - Non-FEM Brand/Supplier user

Context: For users only seeking to be evaluated against the standard. It's necessary at the time of the launch of the benchmark that we have alternative paths for data collection, given that it will take time for FEM to be updated to accommodate the benchmarking certification process.

1. User completes Aii-provided questionnaire (Excel in the short-term, Aii-endorsed platforms in the future), consistent with FEM adaptations and additions.
2. User completes 3rd-party validation of questionnaire and data, through a 3rd party accredited by Aii.
3. User submits data to Aii to complete certification against the standard.
4. User may choose to submit results to FEM.
5. Certification and supporting data are shared with FEM via API.

Scenario 3 - Other

Context: For users being evaluated against the standard via adjacent processes, such as bluesign, oekotex step, CTS.

1. User completes the Aii-provided questionnaire consistent with FEM adaptations and additions.
2. User completes the industry adjacent process including validation of Aii questionnaire responses and data.
3. The user or adjacent 3rd-party submits data to Aii to complete certification against the standard.
4. With agreement, Aii and 3rd-party may host the calculation and approval on the 3rd-party platform.
5. User may choose to submit results to FEM.
6. Certification and supporting data are shared with FEM via API.