The NF Environnement Ameublement certification

ECO-MANUFACTURER COMMITMENTS

Furniture manufacturers have adopted an approach to growth which includes offering products which respect the environment. These products could be for your home, your company, child care centres, schools, workshops; in fact in all furnishing sectors, manufacturers have chosen the only French ecolabel for their products which is recognised by AFNOR and the Ministry for the Environment – the ‘NF Environnement’ label.

For us as furniture manufacturers, obtaining this label is proof of a real willingness to change our production processes, from the raw material through to the method of distribution, including recycling practices. This voluntary commitment shows the involvement of a whole sector of the economy in an issue which is essential for our future – protection of the environment.

THE NF MARK FOR CLARITY

Contrary to internal labelling or self-declarations, the NF Environnement mark is the only official French ecolabel. It is overseen by AFNOR Certification and is recognised by the Ministry for the Environment.

For furniture, the FCBA laboratories (technical industrial centre for wood and furniture companies) grant this certification to businesses who request it. In order to obtain it, the business must adhere to strict and demanding technical specifications laid out in the reference framework. Once it has been obtained, the business is free to display the NF Environnement mark on the furniture concerned.

This certification is particularly protective since it relies on five key demands:

Quality and Durability	Environment	Quality of execution
Health	Security

Criteria concerning the entire life cycle of the furniture: each stage in the life of a piece of furniture can have an effect on the environment – raw materials, manufacturing process, transportation and also the end use of the furniture and its recycling.

• Usage quality which is at least equivalent to that of other products: protecting the environment is good, but not when it is to the detriment of product quality. This is the environmental challenge – guaranteeing a level of quality which is identical to that of the best equivalent products.
• A reference framework which is developed entirely transparently: the criteria are chosen in tandem with certification organisations, manufacturers, distributors and associations. Consult the reference framework
• Throughout the duration of the certification regular checks are carried out to ensure environmental criteria are being adhered to: at any time, a product can lose its label and the criteria are regularly updated according to technological advances.
• The NF Environnement mark has been recognized and supported by the public authorities since 1991.

Protecting the planet is the same as protecting yourself

Furniture is part of our everyday life. When we are sleeping, working, studying or are in public places, few objects are more closely connected to us, our body or our personal space.

This is why more and more consumers are turning to NF Environnement ecolabelled furniture which adhere to strict criteria for improving your safety and keeping you healthy.

Are you a buyer for your business or local authority?

You can trust furniture manufacturers who have adopted an environmental approach within their business; they are responding to new behaviour among users who want to combine high performing activity, a good quality of life and protection for the environment

Download the presentation sheet NF Environnement Ameublement