The European furniture industry is a dynamic sector: furniture manufacturers have a good reputation thanks to their creative capacity, design and quality of materials, so much so that almost two out of three high-end pieces of furniture sold worldwide are produced in the EU (source: European Commission).
But the sector is increasingly discovering that, alongside modern lines and cutting-edge style and finishes, choosing raw materials from responsible sources and communicating this commitment to consumers and business markets is advantageous. Responding to a survey launched by FurnitureToday, companies confirmed that consumers are increasingly educated on questions related to sustainability and that prefer brands that include green messages related to materials or processes.
This attention partly explains the renewed role that wood has found in the design of furniture and furnishing accessories. After being abandoned in favour of materials such as plastics and metals, it is now growing in popularity, due in no small part to the fact that it remains one of the best sustainable materials.
Of course, not all wood looks the same and not all is sustainably sourced. Even if the production of furniture is not the first cause of deforestation, the furniture industry still has a responsibility to guarantee the legal and sustainable origin of the wood used. And this is precisely the starting point of the two videos (the first video, 'Sustainable wooden furniture: the importance of choosing FSC', is designed primarily for B2B use and the other, 'How consumers can choose sustainable wooden furniture', for B2C) launched by FSC to underline the importance of choosing wood certified according to credible environmental, social and economic sustainability standards.
Sustainable wooden furniture: the importance of choosing FSC
This video takes us to FSC-certified Dakovo forest in Croatia, where FSC certification helps to ensure the protection over more than 50 plant and animal species, including the butchers broom (Ruscus aculeatus), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), yellow-bellied toad (Bambina variegata) and the Balcan goldenring (Cordulegaster heros).
How consumers can choose sustainable wooden furniture
These short videos are a tool for the 10,000 FSC-certified companies in the world (5,000 in Europe) active in the wood-furniture sector. We hope they prove useful in supporting their work, spreading knowledge of wood from responsible sources and the FSC brand. Images and graphics show us how a sustainable supply chain is built, the requirements behind the FSC labels and how licence holders’ commit to ensure forests for all, forever. These are a good starting point to show suppliers, brands, retailers and consumers the value of a commitment that is much more than a simple green, tick-tree symbol.
- Tallulah Chapman. Communications Manager, FSC UK.
The videos are the final product of a project launched in 2018, which saw FSC at the forefront of promoting the use of wood from responsible sources in the furniture sector, increasing awareness of FSC certification and recognition among consumers. This activity led us to work closely with trade associations, companies and retailers, and to create the FSC Furniture Awards, a competition created to recognise the commitment of FSC-certified companies in the European indoor and outdoor furniture sectors. The 2022 awards ceremony, held at the ADI Museum in Milan, recognised 9 FSC-certified European companies representing countries such Italy, Germany, Poland, Denmark and France.
Using the videos
If you would like to use the videos, please link directly to them on the FSC UK YouTube channel or contact communications@fsc-uk.org.