​EFIC input in view of ESPR preparatory study for furniture 

Making future  furniture specific rules a success while ensuring proportionate requirements and fair competition 

The European furniture industry, represented by EFIC, the European Furniture Industries Confederation, welcomes the goals of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). The lack of harmonised rules, combined with emerging national sustainability requirements, risks market fragmentation and increased burden on businesses. Setting EU-wide ecodesign requirements for furniture can ensure legal certainty, improve resource efficiency, and support circular design.

 

Going forward, EFIC wishes to be a close partner to EU institutions and consultants carrying out the preparatory study for our sector, to share sector specific expertise and work together towards rules that are implementable on the ground and ensure a level playing field. A 360º assessment is needed to address furniture circularity - where ecodesign plays an important role - and the European furniture industry’s specificities.

 

The paper is divided into 4 main sections, providing recommendations on: ​

1. General and global issues to consider on the needs ans specificities of our industry 

2. Scope, structure anf functional sub-categories in the furniture delegated act 

3. Developing workable Ecodesign criteria 

4. Digital Product Passport & ESPR label