Advancing Sustainability and Traceability in the Furniture Industry
Sustainability in furniture starts with how wood materials are sourced, how supply chains are managed, and how transparency is ensured throughout production. Traceability is a critical element in this process, enabling companies to understand the origin of their materials, manage environmental and social risks, and demonstrate responsible practices in global markets.
Moreover, sustainability is becoming a key driver of consumer demand. Consumers are increasingly seeking furniture that reflects their values and they expect sustainability information be credible and supported by a trusted certification. Transparent supply chains and responsible material choices help build trust, maintain access to international markets and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of furniture manufacturers.
AFIC–PEFC Partnership
In response to these developments, AFIC partnered with the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC International) in 2021 to advance sustainable wood sourcing and strengthen supply chain resilience across the region. The collaboration focuses on raising awareness about responsibly sourced wood, building capacity across the furniture value chain, and supporting manufacturers in demonstrating legal and sustainable sourcing through credible certification.
PEFC is a leading global forest certification system that enables traceability from forest to finished product through third-party verification. Through certification, furniture companies can support sustainable forest management, reduce environmental and social risks, and respond effectively to growing market and regulatory expectations.
Strengthening the Furniture Industry for the Future
Through its partnership with PEFC, AFIC continues to support furniture manufacturers and stakeholders in navigating sustainability challenges and responding to evolving market demands. By embedding sustainability and traceability at the core of the furniture value chain, the ASEAN furniture industry is better positioned to build resilient businesses, strengthen global trust, and deliver long-term value for people and the environment.
Quick Guide to Companies:
- Become PEFC Chain of Custody Certified (discover the steps here)
- Check if your current suppliers are certified, and find thousands of PEFC certified suppliers in more than 80 countries.
- If you source certified wood, you can use the PEFC label to demonstrate your responsible sourcing and promote your sustainability credentials to your customers.
Resources
Credit: Research by Singapore Furniture Industries Council
- #SustainabilityTidbits #CircularEconomy
A Circular Design Glossary with case studies for the furniture & furnishings industry was recently launched in conjunction with NYC Climate Week.The glossary was co-developed by mebl and the Sustainable Furnishings Council, in collaboration with SOMA_studiomilano.
It is available via the link below for your reading pleasure:
#SustainabilityTidbits #SepOctNovSpecial #DezeenAwards2022 #SustainableInterior #Shortlist
How do you envision a carbon-lite, sustainability-centric restaurant to look like?Get some inspiration from Apricity by Object Space Place in London, which was designed in alignment with circular economy principles and with 41% savings in embodied carbon footprint!
#DezeenAwards2022 #SustainableInterior #Longlist
How might a restaurant space invoke deeper thought about the value of environmental sustainability and peace?
Check out Pizza 4P’s in Cambodia by Shanghai-Based Red Design Studio, which includes design elements like brass entrance signage made from melted down Cambodian bombs, furniture built from recycled plastic and partitions formed from reused steel rebar!
SFIC has recently partnered with Furniture & Furnishing Magazine to publish a series of monthly sustainability-themed articles.
🗞 Check out our introductory article here!
Sustainable fashion – when does collaboration become collusion?
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/sustainable-fashion-when-does-collaboration-become-collusion
https://apparelcoalition.org/press-releases/fashion-sector-gathers-to-find-common-ground-on-sustainability-issues/#SustainabilityTidbits #DezeenAwards2022 #SustainableInterior #Longlist
How might a Circular Office look like to you?Check out The Circular Office by Urselmann Interior (Düsseldorf, Germany), which does not compromise on modern aesthetics.
Only materials and products have been used that are biodegradable, upcyclable in the technical cycle or sourced secondhand.
All the interior furnishings are made of healthy materials which are not glued, can easily be dismantled according to type and are, therefore, permanently recyclable!
https://www.dezeen.com/awards/2022/longlists/the-circular-office-dusseldorf/
#SustainabilityTidbits #DezeenAwards2022 #SustainableInterior #Longlist
Concrete by DCSG (Vietnam) is a furniture set made entirely from recycled and recyclable waste to give the impression of concrete.
The classic timeless form factor is inspired by 20th-century Modernist architecture in Southern Vietnam, and is combined with recycled plastic waste to strike a unique balance between the past, present and future of urban life.
Concrete is crafted using conventional woodworking techniques that only require structural reinforcement from wooden pins and fasteners, allowing it to be disassembled and recycled back into plastic boards after use.
More photos here: https://www.dcsg.design/dcsg-concrete
Sustainability Partners
Sustainability
AFIC and PEFC Create Roadmap for a Sustainable Furniture Supply Chain
A key component to ensuring the development of our furniture industry is securing legal and sustainable wood products that ensure responsible manufacturing which in turn meets the new laws as well as buying preferences of today’s educated consumers. AFIC and PEFC embarks on a four-year journey to improve sustainability outcomes throughout the furniture supply chain in the ASEAN region. From 2021 to 2025, our sustainability roadmap includes the following key goals:
1. Raise awareness on the importance of sustainably sourced forest and tree-based materials which subsequently boost demand for certified materials.
2. Build capacity in the wood-based supply chain to facilitate members and companies to reach sustainability goals. 3. Support companies who want to demonstrate legal and sustainable sourcing with PEFC certification.
4. Improve knowledge sharing between PEFC and AFIC.
The first stage of the project will deliver capacity building and build awareness and visibility for both AFIC and PEFC through various activities such as digital marketing, webinars, trainings, educational promotional materials events and business matching. This supports companies who want to demonstrate their legal and sustainable sourcing with PEFC certification.
The second stage calls for the creation of an ASEAN Furniture Sustainability Award to recognize companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices, including sourcing.With this collaboration, AFIC members will have a better understanding on the benefits of working with certified wood sources, and gain access to the many PEFC suppliers that will help us attain our goal of integrating sustainability in our manufacturing processes.
sustainability partner:
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Core Documents
overview
Chain of custody of forest and tree based products – Requirements (ST 2002:2020)
This standard lays out the requirements for chain of custody certification for forest based products – the conditions a company must meet to achieve PEFC certification. During the certification process, the certification body will assess the company against the requirements set out in this document. If the company complies, they will receive their PEFC chain of custody certificate.
PEFC Trademarks Rules (ST 2001:2020)
This standard covers the requirements for users of the PEFC trademarks (the PEFC logo and initials) to ensure their accurate, verifiable, relevant, and non-misleading use.
Covid-19: Chain of custody auditing guidance for certification bodies and certified companies
Accepted abbreviation and translations of the PEFC International chain of custody claims
While the official PEFC chain of custody claims are in English, PEFC provides a list of accepted translations, and an abbreviation, that certified entities can use, and requirements on how to use them.
Template: Outsourcing Agreement
Template for a PEFC Chain of Custody Outsourcing Agreement, developed in relation to requirement 4.9.2 of the Chain of Custody standard, PEFC ST 2002:2020.
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Core Documents
overview
PEFC ST 1003:2018: Sustainable Forest Management – Requirements
This benchmark lays out the international requirements for sustainable forest management. Developed by a working group with representation of all relevant stakeholders, it describes the criteria and indicators we believe are vital for the sustainable management of a forest. Every national forest management standard must address these requirements to achieve PEFC endorsement.
PEFC ST 1002:2018: Group Forest Management – Requirements
This benchmark defines the general requirements for national forest certification systems with group forest management certification. Stakeholders use this benchmark when they develop their national group certification requirements. It covers aspects such as the minimum requirements for internal monitoring and auditing within a certified group – a vital process if group certification is to be effective.
Covid-19: Sustainable forest management guidance for certification bodies and certified companies
Guidance for sustainable forest management auditing of PEFC certified companies affected by restrictions due to COVID-19.
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Training
overview
In response to growing demand for training on our global forest certification programme, the PEFC team has developed a user-friendly, e-learning platform – PEFC Essentials. Free of charge to PEFC-certified companies, the training comprises six key learning modules.
- Module 1: Why Forests Matter?
- Module 2: What is PEFC?
- Module 3: How Do We Do It?
- Module 4: Delivering Impacts
- Module 5: From Local Forest to Global Market
- Module 6: PEFC Benefits for Business
- Bonus Module: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
Join Us!
If you are a retailer or manufacturer and use PEFC-certified wood, we warmly invite you to join our campaign. See the connection with your own eyes, and say thanks to forests by supporting Forests are Home.
Contact us to get involved: [email protected]
