
Environment& Circular Economy
A circular economy is a key enabler of the ambitious climate and environmental commitments of the European Green Deal. The European Furniture Industries strongly support the transition to a circular economy and are ready to be involved in making it a reality. However, a true circular economy can only be achieved through collaboration and requires the involvement of many actors, including policymakers, industry, experts, academia and consumers.
It is also important that EU initiatives take a long-term view and are implemented in a harmonised way by Member States, to avoid a fragmentation of the Internal Market and national efforts hampering EU objectives. Simple and smart circular economy rules are key, as well as clear EU-wide definitions and a common language.
EFIC supports sustainable product policies based on a lifecycle approach, aiming at promoting reuse, repairability, upgradability and addressing the presence of hazardous chemicals. As an example, EFIC campaigns since 2016 for the elimination of toxic flame retardants from furniture products as the use of these chemicals is an obstacle to a circular economy (and not only; see Alliance for Flame Retardant Free Furniture).
EFIC believes that improving consumer awareness to support circularity
is key and that consumers need adequate information tools to compare
different products on the market. Green Public Procurement is also a powerful
tool to boost circular economy principles in practice and public authorities
should be encouraged to promote circular products and solutions.
Lastly, the European Furniture industries welcome initiatives to empower the management sector and to accelerate the use of waste and believe that a harmonised Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for furniture at EU level would be key to ensure an efficient management of furniture products when they reach their end of life.
See also:
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May 2022 - Joint Industry Letter calling for harmonised packaging waste sorting requirements in the EU, ensuring the protection of the Single Market
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April 2022 - Joint Statement of the European forest-based Industries on the draft ENVI Report on the Deforestation Regulation
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December 2021 - EFIC Joint Industry Position on consumer sorting instructions
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EFIC position paper on the Portuguese Draft Decree-Law (Notification in TRIS database: 2021/118/P)
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Joint industry call for an EU approach to packaging waste labelling co-signed by EFIC
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Sustainable Products Initiative::European furniture industry insights Position paper accompanying input to open public consultation
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SAWYER final report and final conference
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EFIC feedback to the Roadmap consultation on Chemical strategy for sustainability
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EFIC Position paper: The furniture sector and Circular Economy 2.0 - 21 April 2020
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Alliance for Flame Retardant Free Furniture position paper - 15 April 2020
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EFIC contribution to Roadmap on new Circular Economy Action Plan
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Alliance for Flame Retardant Free Furniture Policy Paper - 18 November 2019
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EFIC Position Paper on EU Product Policy Framework contributing to the Circular Economy
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EFIC contribution to The interface between chemical, product and waste legislation
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EFIC Policy Paper: The Furniture Industry and the Circular Economy - 2016