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Sustainable Products Initiative
European furniture industry insights Position paper accompanying input to open public consultation
June 8, 2021
Today EFIC issues its position paper accompanying the input of the European furniture industries to open public consultation on the upcoming Sustainable Products Initiative (SPI).
EFIC welcomes CENFIM-Furnishings Cluster in its membership as an associated member
May 20, 2021
Today, EFIC welcomes CENFIM-Furnishings Cluster in its membership as an associated member. CENFIM is a cluster founded in 2006 as a non-profit entity, with headquarters in Spain and over 140 associated members. CENFIM’s mission is to promote the competitiveness of furniture and interior products companies through innovation. CENFIM has three areas of activities: innovation (digitization, sustainability and shared value), vocational training (new skills need detection and trainings content development) and market intelligence (collaborative projects).
EFIC and EFBWW joint declaration on Healthy and Safe Workplaces
April 29, 2021
With this joint declaration the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) support the recognition of healthy and safe workplaces as a fundamental right
as stated by the International Labour Organization (ILO). A global consensus for such a change will encourage
the application of good occupational health and safety standards and discourage countries and
companies from seeking competitive advantage based on substandard conditions and practices.
COVID-19: European furniture sector under pressure calls on EU institutions and Member States for coordinated response across Europe
April 23, 2021
The European furniture sector expresses concerns over an unharmonised response across the EU to the coronavirus pandemic, which is bringing uncertainty and difficulties. In addition to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the furniture and bedding industries are also faced with reduced availability of raw materials, a considerable increase of raw material prices, as well as bottlenecks over logistics.
Sawyer project final conference: Impacts of the twin transition on the EU furniture industry
March 10, 2021
On 10 March, the Spanish Furnishings cluster (CENFIM), hosted the final conference of the Sawyer project, which served as a platform to present the Sawyer final report and have a discussion on its main results. EFIC was a partner in the project and EFIC Secretary General Gabriella Kemendi spoke of the role of Social Dialogue in the transition to a more circular economy, among others.
Edi Snaidero appointed President
of the European Furniture Industries Confederation
March 2, 2021
At the Extraordinary General Assembly of the European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) held on 2 March 2021, the EFIC membership elected Edi Snaidero as President of the organisation for the period running from 2021 to 2024. Markus Wiesner steps down from his role after nine years of dedication to the confederation.
EFIC Statement on price increase of raw materials
March 1, 2021
1 March 2021 - The European furniture industries report a generalised increase in prices of certain raw materials, which meet the furniture industry in a difficult point in time, where the industry is trying to recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis. The furniture industry is closely monitoring and evaluating the situation and calls on suppliers to do the necessary to not incur into unnecessary extra costs for the supply of raw materials, as increased prices will hamper the furniture industry from a swift recovery from the impact of Covid-19.
EFIC Annual Report 2020
February 24, 2021
The EFIC annual report of activities 2020 is available! Read about our initiatives throughout the year on Covid-19, circular economy, international trade and market access, Social Dialogue and within Alliance for Flame Retardant Free Furniture.
EFIC Press Release: EFIC signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers
February 9, 2021
9 February 2021 - EFIC is pleased to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers, committing to regular exchanges on activities and files of common interest, including international trade, as well as on the overall situation of the industry in the countries represented by both organisations.
The Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers is a multi-level professional service organization for domestic and international furniture manufacturers. Since 2001 UAFM has developed into the largest service platform for furniture manufacturers in Ukraine. UAFM members are Ukrainian manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and designers. 60%+ is the total share of the furniture market of Ukraine.
EFIC Statement: Order delays resulting from COVID-19:
European Furniture industry calls on partners for flexibility and solidarity
February 8, 2021
8 February 2021 - The European furniture industries express concerns over shortages of raw materials, which are resulting in delays of furniture deliveries, as experienced by many furniture companies in Europe. The industry is working towards solutions to alleviate the current bottlenecks. Nonetheless, the current crisis is unprecedented and a force majeure and the industry calls on furniture partners for understanding, flexibility and solidarity in these difficult times.
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EFIC Press release: Committed circular design paves the way for circular economy - the Furniture Industries' perspective
November 17, 2020
On 18 November 2020, close to 200 participants gathered in a webinar hosted by EFIC on ‘Circular Design for Furniture’, an initiative aimed at bringing policymakers, industry representatives and other actors together to discuss the potential of circular design in the transition of the furniture industries towards a more circular economy.
EFIC Press Release: European furniture industry experiences shortages of supplies
November 11, 2020
12 November 2020 - The European Furniture Industries express concerns over continued shortages of materials and the resulting implications throughout the value chain and call on material suppliers to stabilise the supplies of materials that are necessary for the production of furniture.
EFIC position paper: Upcoming sustainable products initiative should consider the complexity of furniture
November 03, 2020
4 November 2020 - In view of the upcoming sustainable products initiative the European Furniture Industries Confederation urges EU policymakers to take a holistic approach to ensure a harmonised regulatory framework, to consider the complexity of furniture products and to rely on standardisation bodies and industry expertise in the process.
EFIC Press Release: Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability paving the way for a toxic-free environment
October 15, 2020
16 October 2020 - The European Furniture Industries Confederation welcomes the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability published by the European Commission on 14 October and supports a more sustainable chemicals policy, enabling the green and digital transition, accelerating the shift to a more circular economy and reducing consumer, vulnerable groups and workers’ exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Social partners joint statement on digitalisation
July 05, 2020
The European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) - recognized European social partner organisations for the Furniture sector – issue their joint recommendations on how to anticipate, design, implement and manage industrial change driven by digital transformation.
Joint Statement: Call for compliance with the Single Market rules
June 17, 2020
EFIC co-signed a joint statement issued by the representatives of the European Forestry Value chain, addressing a provision recently introduced in the Austrian Forest Act. This provision, if adopted and implemented, could represent a breach of the European Internal market rules and potentially create distortions in the Single Market.
EU Recovery needs a resilient Single Market, Circular Economy and digitalisation
May 28, 2020
Covid-19 has led to an unprecedented health and economic crisis, showing that a European problem needs a European solution. On 27 May the European Commission proposed a Recovery Package to repair and revitalise the Single Market and to support investments in a green and digital future. The European Furniture industries welcome the focus on these three key elements and is completely aligned with the European Commission on the green recovery.
EFIC Press Release: European Furniture Industry embraces EU circularity objectives
April 20, 2020
21 April 2020 - The European Furniture Industries Confederation welcomes the New Circular Economy Action Plan published by the European Commission on 11 March 2020, strongly supports circularity ambitions and is ready to be involved in making circular economy - a key enabler of the EU’s climate and environmental goals - a reality, by providing sector specific-expertise whenever needed. Find here the press release.
EFIC Press Release - Unwanted toxic flame retardants preventing circularity and increasing fire toxicity
April 14, 2020
15 April 2020 - The Alliance for Flame Retardant Free Furniture welcomes the New Circular Economy Action Plan and calls on the EU institutions to address the unnecessary and unwanted use of chemicals which prevent circularity and climate goals, such as toxic flame retardants in furniture, which endanger at the same time people’s and firefighters’ health, as they migrate out of products and may lead to an increase in fire toxicity.
EFIC Press release - COVID-19 recommendations
April 07, 2020
EFIC calls on the EU Institutions and the Member States to take the necessary measures to overcome the crisis and preserve the EU Single Market. Particularly by ensuring and facilitating: the transportation of goods, border crossing of workers & commuters, access to the necessary protective equipment to workers and to liquidity support schemes to companies, support to apprenticeship via European funds and concrete recommendations for a safe resume of economic activities.
EFIC Press Release on the New Circular Economy Action Plan and the new Industrial Strategy for Europe
March 10, 2020
EFIC welcomes the Commission's New Circular Economy Action Plan and flags potential barriers and fragmentation of the EU Internal Market that could result from misaligned implementation initiatives at Member State level. EFIC also welcomes the new Industrial Strategy for Europe recognising that Europe’s industry is central to growth and prosperity.
EFIC Press Release on the European Green Deal
December 11, 2019
The European Furniture Industries are pleased to see the high ambitions behind the announced European Green Deal and particularly welcome the initiatives to support the industry in achieving a climate neutral and circular economy, the goals to create a toxic-free environment and to preserve and restore ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as the focus on skills and digital transformation
Joint Paper Industry4Europe
November 25, 2019
EFIC supports the Industry4Europe Joint Paper promoting business friendly policies, sustainability, upgraded skills, R&D and funding, a reinforced single market and improved market access and contributing to the future EU Industrial Strategy announced by the European Commission.
Joint Statement on the revision of the DIRECTIVE 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work – Formaldehyde
July 19, 2018
Joint Statement on the revision of the Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work (3rd Batch) - Formaldehyde
The European Union includes intelligent safeguards to avoid market distortions in RED II, whilst raising targets for Renewable Energy Sources.
June 14, 2018
European producers of wood-based panels (represented by EPF), of furniture (represented by EFIC) and FederlegnoArredo (FLA), the Italian member association of both federations, welcome the conclusion of negotiations on Europe’s Renewable Energy Directive Recast (RED II).
EFIC position on the revision of the mutual recognition regulation
May 15, 2018
The Single Market for Goods is one of the EU’s greatest achievements, as well as one of its most important and continuing priorities. It finds its legal roots in the free movement of goods, the first of the four fundamental freedoms of the internal market established by the Treaties.
ECHA recommends restriction on flame retardants in polyurethane foams
April 16, 2018
In December 2017, ECHA - the European Chemicals Agency - opened a Call for evidence for a possible restriction under REACH of TCEP, TCPP and TDCP flame retardants used in flexible polyurethane (PUR) foams in childcare articles and residential furniture.
EFIC 2020 Strategy - BBCWFI becomes EFIC Member.
April 03, 2018
The Bulgarian Branch Chamber of Woodworking and Furniture Industries becomes Member of EFIC.
EFIC Board Members welcomed BBCWFI's application for membership during the Board Meeting that took place in Vienna in March 2018.
Mr. Wiesner underlined the key role that one and united Confederation may play for improving and defending the furniture sector at the European level.
It seems that EFIC is on the right path.
Joint paper for an ambitious EU Industrial Policy Strategy
January 21, 2018
The Joint Paper “For an ambitious EU industrial strategy: going further”, is the result of a joint action promoted by 126 industry organisation reacting to the Communication on “Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable Industry: a renewed Industrial Strategy for Europe” published by the European Commission in September 2017.