Annually in the UK, more than one billion kilograms of waste furniture and mattresses are sent to landfill. With furniture increasingly highlighted by regulatory bodies as a key area for meeting waste reduction targets, there is potential for the introduction of ever more stringent prevention measures. But how can this issue be addressed?

Now is the time to put your views across, as the industry is being asked to participate in a survey to gauge the practical steps needed to adopt a ‘circular economy’ approach. The circular economy aims to redress wastage and resource efficiency by ‘closing the loop’ to ensure that existing materials remain in productive use for as long as possible.

Launched today, the survey is being carried out by the UK’s largest furniture association to gain an insight into the challenges and opportunities presented by the circular economy, by enabling stakeholders from across the furniture industry to share their perceptions and experiences. The survey forms a critical part of a new research project, which aims to explore the business case for a circular economy for the furniture industry. The survey closes on 1st November 2015.

Click here to take part in the survey

The project is being funded by the Furniture Industry Research Association, which was set by the industry for the industry over 65 years ago. It provides invaluable technical support to the entire furniture supply chain and funds projects for the benefit of the industry.

FIRA’s sustainability expert, James Bell, who is leading the research project, explains: “The issue of waste is not going away. The statistics don’t lie: we live in a society predicated on unsustainable wastage and resource inefficiency. All of this despite the ever increasing cost of sending waste to landfill and the volatility of raw materials prices. A critical part of this initial feasibility study will be feedback from our members and other stakeholders, and we hope that this valuable consultation will underpin our future efforts in supporting and facilitating the industry’s transition to a circular economy.”

Estimates suggest that upwards of 90% of the raw materials used in manufacturing are lost to wastage before the product even departs the factory, whilst 80% of products are disposed of within the first six months of their life. The implementation of a circular economy strategy would aim to ‘close the loop’ to ensure that existing materials and products are kept in productive use for as long as possible through a combination of design, innovation, reuse, remanufacturing and recycling.

The industry has attracted the attention of the regulators as both the European Commission and UK Government have highlighted furniture and bulky goods as a ‘priority target’ for action. Growing calls to progress new, and ever more binding, waste reduction targets, as part of the EU Commission’s so called ‘circular economy’ package could see the introduction of a raft of reduction measures including extended producer responsibility requirements and pay-as-you-throw usage pricing.

James continues: “This project emphasises the Association’s recognition of the importance of the circular economy to the future of the furniture industry, and its supply chain. Whilst the concept and theory behind the circular economy have been addressed by a number of distinguished organisations and institutions, we feel it is imperative to complement this existing research with a sectoral analysis of the furniture industry’s current and future role in this evolving area. By stimulating key debate and dialogue, we can continue to support our members by acting as the central repository of information on the topic of the circular economy, as well as sustainable development more generally, across the industry.”

For more information about the project, please contact James Bell by emailing jbell@fira.co.uk. For more information about the Furniture Industry Research Association, please visit www.fira.co.uk, call 01438 777700 or email info@fira.co.uk.

SUMMER DATES FOR FURNITURE FLAMMABILITY TRAINING

 If you are a manufacturer, importer, retailer or specifier of upholstered furniture, then you have a responsibility to ensure you are complying with the relevant flammability legislation for both domestic and contract environments, such as office, hospitality, educational and healthcare.

The course aims to help navigate the complexity of the UK’s flammability regulations which apply to domestic furniture and requirements for contract furniture under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO). 

FIRA, widely recognised as the experts in flammability for furniture, has announced further dates for its flammability course this summer to meet demand from the industry for support in this field.

The courses will be held on Wednesday 8^th July and Thursday 20^th August 2015.

Aimed at furniture suppliers, manufacturers, importers, retail buyers and technologists, the course provides an overview of the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations and guidance on how to interpret the Regulations for your specific business or product. It will also cover standards for contract furniture; BS7177 for mattresses and divans and BS7176 for non-domestic seating.

“Since the BBC investigation at the beginning of the year into non-compliant products on sale in the UK, we have seen the industry take swift action. The course originally solely focussed on the UK’s flammability regulations, as they are extremely complex, and had proven to be very popular. We have recently extended the course to cover contract furniture as there are legal obligations under the RRFSO and so this is also an area that can cause confusion.  Knowing the questions to ask a supplier and how to identify potential issues will help to mitigate risk to your business and help build your due diligence. It is suitable for delegates who work with both domestic and contract furniture. We have had a lot of interest in this course, so we decided to set these additional dates throughout the summer.” said Tristine Hargreaves, FIRA’s Standards and Regulatory Manager and flammability course trainer.

A variety of upholstered furniture products are affected by the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended), BS7177 and BS7176, including sofas, chairs, upholstered bedsteads, headboards, bean bags, casual seating, cushions, mattresses, mattress toppers and divan bases.

Tristine continued: “Everyone has the responsibility of due diligence and you could be asked to demonstrate that a product is compliant. If a product is deemed to be non-compliant, this is illegal and could result in product withdrawal from sale, product recall or prosecution. By the end of the day delegates should be able to assess their products to see whether they are fully compliant and avoid unnecessary recall costs or fines.”

The flammability course looks at why the Regulations were introduced, the different schedules, labelling, test reports, product assessments, traceability of materials and requirements for non-domestic seating, mattresses, toppers and divan bases. A training certificate will be issued upon completion of the course and training notes provided to assist you with future product assessments. The course also includes a tour of the FIRA Flammability Test Laboratory.

Prices for the course are £250 +VAT for FIRA members and £400 +VAT for non-members. FIRA also offers bespoke training sessions which can be held at your premises. For further information please contact Tristine Hargreaves on +44 (0) 1438 777 700 or email info@fira.co.uk. Alternatively, book online at www.fira.co.uk/training.

FIRA EXPERT AT CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK

 “Technology drives the way we work and the way we sit in today’s offices, but is our furniture fit for purpose and suitable for the devices we interact with?” asks Levent Çaglar, Senior Ergonomist for FIRA International.

An expert in ergonomics, Levent will be delivering three seminars on current industry topics during Clerkenwell Design Week, which takes place between the 19^th and 21^st May.

His sessions are entitled; ‘Isn’t it time to stand up when working?’, ‘The impact of technology the workplace’ and ‘A look back at how workplaces have evolved’.

The first seminar will look at how workplaces have evolved over time and takes place at Morgan’s Showroom at 10am on Tuesday 19^th May. Levent will be speaking as part of an event to showcase the shortlisted designs from the Future@Work student design competition, run by the Furniture Industry Research Association and sponsored by Morgan.

The second seminar of the event is at Dauphin on Tuesday 19^th May at 4pm. In an informal workshop Levent will give his ergonomics perspective on how the furniture and office environment could meet the needs of new technology and new ways of working and invite discussion and questions from the audience.

The final seminar will take place at Scandinavian Business Seating’s Showroom on Wednesday 20th May from 11am till 12pm. Levent will argue the case that sitting for prolonged period is bad for our health and especially for our backs. Levent will propose alternative ergonomics solutions, ranging from standing to perching and will discuss their health, and productivity benefits.

Levent continued: “I am really excited to be part of Clerkenwell again this year and will provide an ergonomists angle on consequences of new technology, such as smartphones, the cloud and tablets, on the ways we work. I will also look at the effects of prolonged sitting and the options available. I would also like to encourage visitors to pop down to Morgan’s Showroom to view the shortlisted designs from our competition to design the workspace of the future and have the chance to vote for their favourite.”

The FIRA Ergonomics Department is led by Senior Ergonomist Levent Çaglar. Levent is a highly-qualified Ergonomist who is well-known throughout the furniture industry.

FIRA has unparalleled industry knowledge, raising performance throughout the furniture supply chain by offering research, information, testing, consultancy, customer service and after sales service to the furniture and DIY markets.

For more information about the Future@Work competition and event at Morgan’s Showroom on 19^th May at 10am at 1 Dallington Street, Clerkenwell, EC1V 0BH. Visit www.fira.co.uk/designcomp for more information and to view the designs.

The Dauphin seminar on 19^th May at 4pm will take place at its showroom at 3rd Floor, 11 Northburgh Street, EC1V 0AH. For more information, please visit www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com and view the programme.

The Scandinavian Business Seating seminar on 20^th May at 11am will take place at its showroom at 63 Central Street, London, EC1 V 3AF. To book your place, please visit www.sbseating.co.uk/cdw.

To find out more about FIRA’s ergonomists, please visit www.fira.co.uk/ergonomics, call 01438 777 700 or email info@fira.co.uk.

NEW COURSE TO HELP ACHIEVE ‘GREEN’ CERTIFICATION
Environmental Management Systems Training – 23rd April 2015

Does your business need to gain ‘green’ credentials?

A new course aimed at supporting businesses in the furniture and associated industries achieve internationally recognised environmental certification will take place in April.

Run by the experts in environmental legislation for the furniture industry, FIRA International, the first course will take place on 23rd April 2015.

“The international standard for environmental management systems, ISO 14001, is now listed as a requirement on almost all tenders for public and private sector contracts. Businesses need to show their ‘green’ credentials or risk losing work to competitors.” said James Bell, Environmental Consultant for FIRA.

To gain environmental certification a business must put in place an Environmental Management System (EMS). This enables a company to effectively monitor and improve its impact on the environment, alongside many added financial and reputational benefits.

The Environmental Management System one-day training course, run by FIRA, helps companies to set up an EMS by providing a foundation and practical guide to the effective management of environmental/sustainability issues in the workplace.

James continued: “ISO 14001 is increasingly becoming a requirement at the Pre-qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage of a tender and a company that cannot show environmental credentials may not even make through to the shortlist. It is often also a pre-requisite for being listed as an Approved Supplier. There are clear benefits to achieving certification and this course is designed to guide you through how to set up an EMS, making it a much less daunting or time-consuming activity.”

Some of the added benefits of implementing an EMS include; cost savings through assessing waste management and production processes, competitive advantages when tendering for contracts and provides marketing and PR opportunities to enhance the reputation of your business within the industry and with consumers.

The course is aimed at manufacturers, retailers, specifiers and suppliers from the furniture and associated industries who are interested in Environmental Management Systems.

For further information, or to register a place on the course, please contact James Bell via telephone +44 (0) 1438 777 700 or email jbell@fira.co.uk. Alternatively, book online at www.fira.co.uk/training. Bespoke training and technical services are also available on request.