The Sustainable Furniture Council is a non-profit balanced coalition of industry players created to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike with a public tagging program to identify good choices. We are over two hundred members strong and growing fast. The solution starts with you.

ONE GOOD CHAIR DESIGN COMPETITION

Important Documents

04.08 Yale Forest Certification
Go to site >>

11.07 IPCC 4th Assessment
View PDF >>

Latest News

07.20.08 Las Vegas Market Event Schedule More >>

07.15.08 SFC at the California Gift Show More>>

04.22.08 One Good Chair Design Competition Finalists Announced More >>

Current Members

About Us

Sustainability: More than a Slogan

The Sustainable Furniture Council is a non-profit industry association founded at High Point, NC in October 2006 to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike. The SFC recognizes the overwhelming scientific consensus that our world is experiencing dangerous global climate change. SFC members acknowledge the tremendous urgency, and will take immediate steps to minimize carbon emissions, waste stream pollutants, un-recyclable content and primary materials from unsustainable sources from any product platform under our control.

SFC members will utilize Life Cycle Assessment as the best method for analyzing the environmental impact of their products, and a verifiable chain of custody as the only acceptable method for tracking wood flow.

SFC members support the triple bottom line of PEOPLE - PLANET - PROFITS and will lead the industry in developing awareness of best practices throughout their supply chains. Members will accomplish this goal by increasing their purchases from suppliers that show continual improvement toward meeting our high standards.

Our goals are as follows:

To raise awareness of the sustainability issue
To assist companies in adopting good practices
To serve as an information clearing house
To create a symbol of assurance for consumers

Good Business that is Good for Business

Importantly, we believe that sustainability has become a mandate among the buying public. As consumers become more educated, they seek out acceptable choices that meet their needs for style, value, and eco-responsibility. Our organization is known for its rigorous compliance with established sustainability standards as a safeguard to ensure that all members are in good standing and demonstrably committed to ongoing improvement.

In 2008, we will be launching a public advertising and in-store tagging program for consumers to identify retailers and products which exceed our threshold sustainability standards. Our Standards Committee is currently reviewing all legitimate, independent certification schemes to establish eligibility requirements. All 2007 Applicants who become members in good standing will be considered Founding Members, with a 12-month grace period in 2008 to come into compliance with our standards for Basic or Exemplary membership.

We are currently over 160 members and growing strong, with a presence at all major furniture trade shows throughout the country. The time is now — the solution starts with you!

For a simple discussion of Global Warming Basics, visit the Natural Resources Defense Council at www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp

Take Action

Make a Difference Today

Much is made of the threats to our environment, and rightly so. Many want to help, but few know how to begin. Every successful cause reaches a tipping point, a moment when collective consciousness leads to concerted action and produces results. Whether you are a manufacturer, a retailer or a consumer, there are plenty of things that all of us can do now. The first step is simple. When you are sourcing materials to build with, when you are selecting products to stock, when you are buying things for your home... ask questions:

What are the products made of?
Where and how were the materials procured?
If made of wood, was it legally harvested?
How are they processed into finished goods?
What is the environmental impact?
What will happen to the product after its served its purpose?

Here are some other things you can start doing today:

Make My Company Greener
Make My Store Greener
Make My Home Greener
Make My Textile Choices Greener

For more information, you may also want to visit these valuable sites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDsIFspVzfI
www.storyofstuff.com
www.nrdc.org
www.fightglobalwarming.com
www.climatecrisis.com
www.kab.com
www.worldwatch.org

Member List

Going Green and Growing Strong

Companies and individuals from all corners of the home furnishings industry have joined in support of the SFC. You can be one of them!


		Corporate Members

		A & R Furniture and Interiors
		ABC Carpet & Home	www.abchome.com
		Abner Henry Fine Furniture	www.abnerhenry.com
		AdenWorks Ltd. Inc	www.AdenWorks.com
		American Leather	www.americanleather.com
		American Lighting & Furniture Group	www.americanlighting.net
		Animavi	www.animavi.com
		Arbora Teak	www.arborateak.com
		Area 51
		Asia Minor Carpets	www.asiaminorcarpets.com
		Asian Art Imports	www.asianartimports.com
		Avangard Innovative	www.avaicg.com
		Barbo Furniture	www.barbofurniture.com
		Bjorling & Grant	www.bjorlinggrant.com
		Brastilo Living	www.brastilo.com
		BiOH^TM,Cargill Inc.	www.bioh.com
		Brazil Pine Furniture	www.brazilpinefurniture.com
		California Gift Show	www.californiagiftshow.com
		C. G. Sparks	www.cgsparks.com
		Caperton Furniture Works	www.capertonfurnitureworks.com
		Century Furniture	www.centuryfurniture.com
		Christian Rathbone Inc.	www.christianrathbone.com
		Circle Furniture	www.circlefurniture.com
		Cisco Brothers Corp.	www.ciscobrothers.com
		City Furniture	www.cityfurniture.com
		Classic Leather	www.classic-leather.com
		Creative Elegance	www.creativeelegance.com
		Collectic Home	www.collectichome.com
		Contemporary Design Group	www.contemporarydesign.com
		Contents Interiors	www.contentsinteriors.com
		Copeland Furniture	www.copelandfurniture.com
		Eangee Home Design	www.defineyourspace.com
		Earth Deco	www.earthdeco.com
		Eclectic Home	www.eclectichome.com
		EcoDecor	www.ecodecor.com
		EKLA Home	www.eklahome.com
		E J Victor	www.ejvictor.com
		Elements of Style	www.elementsofstyleinteriors.com
		Enkeboll Designs	www.enkeboll.com
		Environment Furniture	www.environmentfurniture.com
		Five Rivers	www.fiverivers.com
		Forest World	www.forestworld.com
		Four Hands	www.fourhands.com
		French Heritage	www.frenchheritage.com
		From the Mountain	www.fromthemountain.com
		Fuhr Industrial	www.fuhrindustrial.com
		GE Money	www.gemoney.com
		George Little Management LLC	www.glmshows.com
		Grant Dawson Collections Silver Exemplary	www.grantdawsoncollections.com
		GREENGUARD	www.greenguard.org
		Green Built Environments	www.greenbuilt-e.com
		Groovy Stuff	www.groovystuff.com
		Harden Furniture Silver Exemplary	www.harden.com
		Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company	www.hickorysprings.com
		Homestead Furniture	www.HomesteadFurnitureOnline.com
		Home Furnishings Business	www.hfbusiness.com
		Home Furnishings Independents	www.hfia.com
		Home to Home Décor	www.hometohome.net
		HTD/Home Trends & Design	www.htddirect.com
		Ibolili Natural Fibers	www.ibolili.com
		Inmodern	www.inmodern.net
		Jawa Furni Lestari	www.djawafurni.com
		John Strauss Furniture Design	www.straussfurniture.com
		Kammika Import Export Co.	www.kammika.com
		Kathy Ireland Home by Omnia Furniture	www.omnialeather.com
		Knu/Industrial Woodworking Corporation	www.getknu.com www.industrialwoodworking.com
		La Difference Inc.	www.ladiff.com
		La Tienda
		Last Chantz Co dba Interiors With Oohs & Aahs
		Lazar Furniture	www.lazarind.com
		Lee Industries	www.leeindustries.com
		Legare Furniture	www.legarefurniture.com
		Leggett & Platt Home Furniture Components
		Lilipad Studio	www.lilipadstudio.com
		Lillian August Designs, Inc	www.lillianaugust.com
		Mac Kenzie-Dow Fine Furniture	www.mackenziedow.com
		MaryJanesFarm Magazine	www.maryjanesfarm.org
		McCreary Modern	www.mccrearymodernfurniture.com
		Metamorphous Furniture	www.metamorphousfurniture.com
		Michael Thomas Furniture	www.michaelthomasfurniture.com
		MMPI	www.merchandisemart.com
		Moncure Plywood LLC
		Mountain Woods Furniture	www.mountainwoodsfurniture.com
		Nathan Anthony Furniture	www.nafurniture.com
		Natural Fine Furnishings	www.naturalfinefurnishings.com
		Naturescast	www.naturescast.com
		New Leaf Interiors	www.new-leafinteriors.com
		New World Trading	www.newworldtrading.com
		Outdoor Lifestyle	www.olfurniture.com
		O EcoTextiles, Inc.	www.oecotextiles.com
		Padma's Plantation	www.padmasplantation.com
		Palecek	www.palecek.com
		Palu, Ltd.	www.palultd.com
		Patagonia Legacy	http://www.patagonialegacy.com
		Polyurethane Foam Association	www.pfa.org
		Porto	www.portohome.com
		Precedent	www.precedent-furniture.com
		Prairie Rugs	www.prairierugs.com
		Primex	www.primexint.com
		Prime Resources Int'l
		PURE by Ami McKay	www.purebyamimckay.com
		Rainforest Alliance	www.rainforest-alliance.org
		Ruffinos Furniture	www.ruffinosfurniture.com
		Room & Board	www.roomandboard.com
		Ross Joseph Design	www.rjddesign.com
		Rowe Furniture	www.rowefurniture.com
		Samsara Furniture	www.samsarafurniture.com.au
		ScanCom International Ltd	www.scancom.net
		Seacoast Furniture	www.seacoastfurniture.com
		Service Lamp Corp	http://www.servicelamp.com
		Simply Amish	www.simplyamish.com
		Sklar Furnishings	www.sklarfurnishings.com
		Slifer Designs, Inc.	www.sliferdesigns.com
		Stanley Furniture Company, Inc.	www.stanleyfurniture.com
		South Cone Silver Exemplary	www.southcone.com
		Structured Green LLC	www.structuredgreen.com
		The Futon Shop	www.thefutonshop.com
		The Green Furniture	www.solutionsforhospitality.com
		The Phillips Collection	www.phillipscollection.com
		Timeless Mountain Homes	www.timelessmountainhomes.com
		Tucker Robbins (Studio)	www.tuckerrobbins.com
		Urban Country Designs, Ltd.	www.urban-country.com
		Urban Woods	www.urbanwoods.net
		Vanguard Furniture	www.vanguardfurniture.com
		VIRO Fiber	www.virofiber.com
		Vaughn Basset	www.vaughan-bassett.com
		Way Basics	www.waybasics.com
		Wiggers Custom Furniture	www.wiggersfurniture.com
		West Bros. Furniture Silver Exemplary	www.westbrosfurniture.com
		World Market Center	www.lasvegasmarket.com
		Zola Furnishings Silver Exemplary	www.zolafurnishings.com

Individual/Student Members 2008

Amy Wikman, Bjork Antikt
Ann Smith-Palenchar, Innovated by Design
Barbara Ziebarth, MPLA Associates
Becky Broeder, Student
Carol Kipling, Carol Kipling - Designer
Blake Tovin, Tovin Design Ltd.
Cherel Cairns, Concord Furniture Group
Cinde Wirth, Student
Curt Christian, Highland Design
Eric Blackledge, Blackledge Furniture
David Stine, Stine Woodworking
Denise Schmidt, Denise Schmidt Quilts
Irene Rawlings, Media
Jan Castle, Sustainable Interiors
Jesse Johnson, Q Collection
Jeff Hiller, Freelance Marketing
Joe Ruggiero, Joseph Ruggiero
Karen Dingmon, LIVE Textiles, Inc.
Ken Shonfeld, Handy Living
Leslie Newby, Brand Communications
Mark Buczek
Margaret Anderson, Interior Couture
Michael Childs, Head Spring Farm
Michelle Pollak, The Lollipop Tree
Pamela L. Valdes, Innlife Ventures
Sarah Sumner, Fusion Interiors
Scott Kazmierczak
Sharron Bradley, Western Home Furnishings Assoc.
Simone Lagnerini, Green Hides
Sol Reeve, Zola Design Inc.
Sue Patrolia, SWIFT Project
Thadeus Rucinski, Tedbed Company
Thomas Inman, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers
Vladimir Kagan, Vladimir Kagan Design Group

Individual/Student Members 2007

Natalie Addis, Distinctive Design Co

Ray Alegrezza, Furniture Today

Kevin Aylward, Prairie Rugs

Chris Barbo, Barbo Furniture & Enterprises

Holly Barbo, Barbo Furniture & Enterprises

Clarissa Blackiston

Clyde Barnard, Barnard & Company

Eric Blackledge, Blackledge Furiture Co

Gary Braden, Bradens Furniture

Sharron Bradley, Western Home Furnishings Association

Jennifer Burger, Noni Worldwide, Inc dba Noni Home and Bath

Stoel Burrose, SB Designs

John Byfield, Zola Furnishings

Emily Carr, O Eco Textiles

Jan Taylor Castle

Jimmy Chiang

Wanda Cox, Black's Furniture

Pete Delantar, Naturescast

Miriam and James Duncan

Peggy Farabaugh, Vermont Woods Studios

Nancy Farina, California Design Center

Kari Foster, Associates III

Sherri Gorsen, Grant Dawson, LLC

Steve Gretzinger, WWF’s Global Forest & Trade Network

Phil Guiller, Tropical Forest Trust

Jason P Gustafson, Patagonia Legacy

Yvonne Hanks, A to Z Interiors of Raleigh, LLC

Pavel Hanousek, Fusion Z

Ernest Hershberger, Homestead Furniture

Laura Higdon, Lilipad Studio

Jeff Hiller, HHH Consulting

Tom Inman, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.

Timothy Hromatka

Michael Italiano, Market Transformation to Sustainability

Jesse D. Johnson. Q COLLECTION

Bob Kollm, ASU

Simone Lagnerini, Green Hides LLC

Michelle Lamb, The Trend Curve/ Marketing Directions Inc.

Steve Lesniak, Celadon Home

Laurence Mackler, Mackler Design Studio

David Mahood, Olive Designs

Joseph B. Manderson, Jbertrum

Patrick McCourt, Passport Accents

Cambria McKee, Fusion Z

Heidi McKinnon, MateriaPrima, LLC

Irene Nelson, Irene Nelson Interiors

Bill Neville, Caseworks

Michelle Pollak, The Lollipop Tree

Jennifer Prince, ASU

Chris Putnam, Putnam Pritchard Interiors

Christian Rathbone, Christian Rathbone Inc.

Sol Reeve, Zola Design Inc.

Mark Righter, Principal, Cambium Studio

Thadeus Rucinski

Dennis Rose, Eclectic Home

Victoria Schomer, Green Built Environments

Ken Shonfeld, Handy Living

John Stein, Organo Natural

David P. Stine, Stine Woodworking, LLC

Carl Smith, Greenguard

James Sweet, Home to Home Decor

Wally Stryk, Asian Art Imports

Cindy Testa, Grant Dawson, LLC

Andy Thornton, LaDifference

John Paul Tier

Richard Tomkins, Crescent Fine Furniture

Blake Tovin, Tovin Designs

Kate Verner, KV Design

Doug Wolf, Wolf Furniture Co

Joe Worthington, J Worthington's Fine Furniture

Jennifer Zsambeky, Dicey Fabrics

News / Events

Sustainability in the News

Here you can find recent news articles, SFC press releases and a list of upcoming events.

Upcoming Events

July 28-August 1, 2008 Las Vegas Market, Living Green Pavilion more >>
August 12,    WithIt Conference
August 16, 2008    NY Intl Gift Fair
September 9, 2008    Casual Market
September 25, 2008 West Coast Green
September 26, 2008    ASID – Florida Annuals
October 2, 2008    Atlanta Design Center
October 20, 2008 High Point Market

News

05.02.08 FAQ's about Living Green Pavilion
03.19.08 One Good Chair Design Competition
03.15.08 Map of Exhibiting SFC Members at Spring High Point Market
02.25.08 SFC Newsletter - Your Application Questions Answered
11.28.07 Position Paper on AHFA Sustainable by Design
11.27.07 2008 Membership Requirements and Application Questionnaire
10.30.07 SFC releases 2008 application and standards in draft form for peer review.

Press Releases

05.29.08 Vladimir Kagan Joins SFC
04.28.08 SFC Seminars a Hit at High Point
04.07.08 SFC Calls for Unity Behind Consensus Green Standards
03.19.08 SFC Takes Center Stage at High Point and Beyond
01.16.08 Press Conference Added to Environmental Education Agenda
01.16.08 SFC front and center at Las Vegas Market
11-02-07 January Las Vegas Market to Highlight Sustainable Products Market with Week Long Educational Series
09-18-07 Sustainable Home Furnishings Focus of October High Point Market 2-day Event

Articles

Resources

Glossary of Terms click here>>

Important Documents:

California Environmental Protection Agency-Formaldehyde in the Home
EPA-Guide to Purchasing Green Power
Environmental Defense FUNDl-Innovations Review 2008 , a look at green business practices that go beyond the basics.

Wood

Forest Stewardship Council-FSC

http://www.fsc.org/en/

http://www.fscus.org/
An international organization promoting responsible stewardship of the world’s forests through certificates for forest management and chain of custody administered by third party auditors.

http://www.nnrg.org/news-events/news/fsc-label-types-pure-recycled-mixed
A description of the different FSC label types.

FSC Product Search

http://www.metafore.org/index.php?p=Forest_Certification_Resource_Center&s=147
Forest Certification Resource Center comprehensive resource about forest certification-including certified forests, products and the approaches to evaluating well-managed forests. Learn how forest certification works, what the prominent certification systems are, and markets for certified products. Also featured are global search tools for locating certified forests and making informed decisions about wood products.

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/forestry.cfm?id=products_companies
FSC product database to search for operations that have been assessed and audited by SmartWood.

http://www.sustainableforestprods.org/
The World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development have partnered to provide reliable, impartial and technically "easy-to-understand" information to assist sustainability officers and business procurement managers, especially major purchasers of wood and paper-based products, in their purchasing decisions.

Certifiers

http://www.scscertified.com/
Scientific Certification Systems, Inc.

www.smartwood.org
Smartwood Program

List of other Certifiers:
http://www.fsc.org/en/about/accreditation/accred_certbod

Other Certifications for Wood

ATFS- American Tree Farm System
www.treefarmsystem.org
Certification program promoting the growth of renewable forest resources on private lands.

CSA-SFM- Canadian Standards Association- Sustainable Forest Management
www.csa.ca
Canadian standards employing principles of sustainable forest management with certification and chain of custody tracking.

PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
www.pefc.org
The PEFC is a global umbrella organization committed to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third party forest certification. Sustainable forest management is based on environmentally, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests for present and future generations.

SFI- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
www.sfiprogram.org
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program is a comprehensive system of principles, objectives and performance measures developed by professional foresters, conservationists and scientists, among others that combines the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the long-term protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality.

Design

ASID-American Society of Interior Designers
http://www.asid.org/designknowledge/sustain/
ASID'S compilation of sustainable resources and guidelines as sustainability relates to interior design.

The Biomimicry Institute
http://www.biomimicryinstitute.org/
The Biomimicry Institute is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to naturalize biomimicry in the culture by promoting the transfer of ideas, designs, and strategies from biology to sustainable human systems design.

Design 21 Social Design Network
http://www.design21sdn.com/
Social Design Network's mission is to inspire social activism through design.

IDSA-Industrial Designers Society of America
http://idsa.org/whatsnew/sections/ecosection/index.html
IDSA support the development of products, places and service systems that minimize damage to and restore the health of our natural environment

Ecolect
http://ecolect.net/
A free eco-materials database

O2
http://o2.org/
A designer’s resource and forum with liaisons sources and a sustainable materials database

Superuse
http://www.superuse.org/
Superuse is a online community of designers, architects and everybody else who is interested in inventive ways of recycling.

The Designers Accord
http://www.designersaccord.org/
The Designers Accord is a coalition of designers, educators, researchers, engineers, business consultants, and corporations, who are working together to create positive environmental and social impact.

News/Blogs

GreenBiz
http://www.greenbiz.com/
Green e-News

Grist
http://grist.org/
Green e-News

In Women We Trust
http://inwomenwetrust.com/
Sustainable Living products and services for women.

Inhabitat
http://www.inhabitat.com/
Inhabitat.com is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

Sustainable Life Media
http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/
Green e-News

Smart Solutions for Sustainable Business
http://www.sustainableproductsblog.com/mts/
The Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability's business blog

Environmental Leader
http://www.environmentalleader.com/
Green e-News

Treehugger
http://www.treehugger.com/
TreeHugger is a media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability mainstream. Partial to a modern aesthetic, we strive to be a one-stop shop for green news, solutions, and product information.

Certifications/Standards

ATFS- American Tree Farm System
www.treefarmsystem.org
Certification program promoting the growth of renewable forest resources on private lands.

Biodegradable Products Institute
http://www.bpiworld.org/
The Biodegradable Products Institute is a multi-stakeholder association of key individuals and groups from government, industry and academia, which promotes the use, and recycling of biodegradable polymeric materials (via composting). The BPI is open to any materials and products that demonstrate that they meet the requirements in ASTM D6400 or D6868, based on testing in a approved laboratory.

Bluesign Standard
http://www.bluesign.com/
The goal of bluesign standard is to put a reliable and proactive tool at the disposal of the entire textile production chain – from raw material and component suppliers who manufacture e.g. yarns, dyes and additives, to textile manufacturers, to retailer and brand companies, to consumers.

CERTIFIED ORGANIC
www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexNet.htm
The US Department of Agriculture has set standards which farmers are required to meet in order to label their food with the green
USDA organic seal. Organic farming focuses on ecologically sound ways to grow food, without the use of synthetic chemicals, hormones, or antibiotics.

CRI- Green Label Plus -The Carpet and Rug Institute- Green Label Plus
www.carpet-rug.org
Indoor air quality certification for low emissions for carpeting, adhesives and foam.

Cradle-to-CradleTM Certification
www.mbdc.com
Intensive product certification for environmentally-intelligent design that serves as a nutrient for the earth or a technological nutrient at the end of the product life.

CSA-SFM- Canadian Standards Association- Sustainable Forest Management
www.csa.ca
Canadian standards employing principles of sustainable forest management with certification and chain of custody tracking.

Forest Stewardship Council FSC
http://www.fsc.org/en/
An international organization promoting responsible stewardship of the world’s forests through certificates for forest management and chain of custody administered by third party auditors.

Global Footprint Network
http://www.footprintstandards.org/
Global Footprint Network initiated a consensus, committee-based process for the development of standards governing Footprint applications, and for an ongoing scientific review of the methodology.

Green Seal
www.greenseal.org
Identifies a product as environmentally preferable, provides third-party corroboration of environmental claims, and distinguishes a product from competitors that can't support their environmental assertions.

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
www.greenguard.org
Improving public health and quality of life through programs that improve indoor air. In accordance with that mission, GEI currently has three third-party certification programs.

GREENSPEC
www.greenspec.co.uk
GreenSpec is the UK construction industry's definitive guide to 'green' building design, products, specification and construction.

Green-e
http://www.green-e.org/
Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products.

Energy Star
www.energystar.gov
U.S. federally monitored standard for energy efficient products and services.

EU Eco-label
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/whats_eco/scheme_en.htm
The EU Eco-label identifies products that have been judged by independent third parties ("the national and regional Eco-label Competent Bodies") to have the lowest environmental impact for a product range. It is valid throughout the EU.

Fair Trade Certification
www.fairtrade.net
A Certification system that provides a guarantee to consumers of Fair Trade Certified products that they are assisting in the Social-Economic Development of people through their purchases.

Global Organic Textile Standard
http://www.global-standard.org/
The aim of the standard is to define requirements to ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer.

ISO 14001
http://www.iso.org/iso/en/iso9000-14000/understand/inbrief.html
ISO (International Standard Organization) 14001 gives the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS), which is a tool for helping organizations to implement good environmental practice and to aim for continual improvement of their environmental performance. For example, the ISO 14000 family of standards addresses areas like greenhouse gas accounting and life cycle analysis.

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
www.usgbc.org
Promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

National Sanitation Foundation
www.nsf.org
NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, is the world leader in standards development, product certification, education, and risk-management for public health and safety. NSF develops national standards and provides third-party conformity assessment services while representing the interests of all stakeholders, [which include] industry, the regulatory community, and the public at large. NSF focuses on food, water, indoor air, and the environment.

Nordic Swan Label
www.ecolabel.no
Official Nordic ecolabel, introduced by the Nordic Council of Ministers, demonstrating that a product is a good environmental choice. The Swan checks that products fulfill certain criteria using methods such as samples from independent laboratories, certificates and control visits.

OEKO-TEX
www.oeko-tex.com
Sets globally uniform test criteria for safe use of chemicals in textiles, tests textiles during and after manufacturing process, certifies textiles as ecologically safe for humans.

PEFC - Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
www.pefc.org
The PEFC is a global umbrella organization committed to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third party forest certification. Sustainable forest management is based on environmentally, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests for present and future generations.

Rugmark Foundation
www.rugmark.com
A global nonprofit organization working to end child labor and offer educational opportunities for children in India, Nepal and Pakistan

SFI- Sustainable Forestry Initiative
www.sfiprogram.org
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program is a comprehensive system of principles, objectives and performance measures developed by professional foresters, conservationists and scientists, among others that combines the perpetual growing and harvesting of trees with the long-term protection of wildlife, plants, soil and water quality.

Smart Certification Systems
www.mts.sustainableproducts.com
Comprehensive Sustainable standards established for materials (textiles) and products including social impact.
http://www.slideshare.net/sustainableproducts/s-ma-rt-sustainable-standards-101-2-15-08?src=embed

Organizations

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
http://www.aashe.org/index.php
AASHE, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, is a member organization of colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada working to promote sustainability in all sectors of higher education - from governance and operations to curriculum and outreach.

BALLE -The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
http://www.livingeconomies.org/
BALLE, brings small business leaders together to help business use less energy and produce less waste, help customers understand that locally owned businesses are important to the strength of our community and discover hat new business opportunities exist in regions for the emerging green economy.

CARE-Carpet America Recovery Effort
http://www.carpetrecovery.org/
Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) is a joint industry-government effort to increase the amount of recycling and reuse of post-consumer carpet and reduce the amount of waste carpet going to landfills.

Clean Car Standard
www.cleancarcampaign.org
A national campaign coordinated by state, regional and national environmental organizations promoting a clean revolution in the motor vehicle industry. In particular, the campaign seeks to promote the development and sale of advanced technology vehicles that meet a high standard of environmental performance.

CNN - Climate Neutral Network
www.climateneutralnetwork.org
An alliance of companies and organizations committed to developing products, services, and enterprises that have a net-zero impact on global warming.

EPAT-Environmental Paper Assessment Tool
https://www.epat.org/
EPAT is an evaluation tool that translates technical paper supply chain data into a context businesses can use to select environmentally preferable paper products. EPAT does not determine “good vs. bad” paper products for users. EPAT is a data-driven tool for the purpose of “knowing vs. not-knowing” so users can select paper products that meet their own environmental goals.

GEN- Global Ecolabelling Network
www.gen.gr.jp
A non-profit association of third-party, environmental performance labelling organizations founded in 1994 to improve, promote, and develop the "ecolabelling" of products and services.

Green Drinks
http://www.greendrinks.org/
A monthly green networking event open to all and with chapters worldwide.

Greenblue
http://www.greenblue.org/
GreenBlue is a nonprofit institute that stimulates the creative redesign of industry by focusing the expertise of professional communities to create practical solutions, resources, and opportunities for implementing sustainability.

GRI- Global Reporting Initiative
www.globalreporting.org
Providing guidance for organizations to use as the basis for disclosure about their sustainability performance, and also provides stakeholders a universally-applicable, comparable framework in which to understand disclosed information.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol
www.ghgprotocol.org
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. Used by the ISO and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, among others.

IFAT
www.ifat.org
The global network of Fair Trade Organizations. Our mission is to improve the livelihoods and well being of disadvantaged producers by linking and promoting Fair Trade Organizations

Metafore
http://www.metafore.org/
Metafore is for businesspeople focused on evaluating, selecting and
manufacturing environmentally preferable wood and paper products.

National Furniture Bank Association
www.help1up.org
NFBA is the non-profit association of furniture banks. Furniture banks in America serve over 125,000 families by providing more than one million home furnishings items.

Rainforest Alliance
www.rainforest-alliance.org
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. This organization is the leading certifier of forestlands to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council and helps businesses of all sizes incorporate sustainability into their supply chains by sourcing wood from responsibly managed forests.

Skal
www.skal.com
Is the inspection body for the organic production in the Netherlands. Provides info for the following: agricultural production, processing of agricultural products, import of products from outside the EU, trade and storage companies.

Senada
http://www.senada.or.id/
SENADA is a USAID-funded competitiveness project aimed at enhancing Indonesia’s ability to increase productivity to reach higher growth and living standards.

Sustainable Packaging Alliance
http://www.sustainablepack.org/default.aspx
SPA aims to be an international focal point for knowledge, tools and expertise that catalyse and facilitate continuous improvement in the environmental performance and sustainability of packaging systems.

SPC- Sustainable Packaging Coalition
http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/index.htm
SPC’s mission is to advocate and communicate a positive, robust environmental vision for packaging and to support innovative, functional packaging materials and systems that promote economic and environmental health through supply chain collaboration.

SWIFT-Sample Waste Initiative for the Furniture and Textile Industries
www.swiftproject.org
The SWIFT mission is to find ways to reduce, reuse and recycle fabric samples, with the goal of a 50% reduction in dump-destined waste within 5 years.

The Natural Step
http://www.naturalstep.org/com/nyStart/
The Natural Step has works to accelerate global sustainability by guiding companies, communities and governments onto an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable path.

USGBC-U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/
The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings accessible to everyone within a generation

We Can Solve It
http://www.wecansolveit.org/

A Nonpartisan effort founded by Nobel laureate and former Vice President Al Gore. Our ultimate aim is to halt global warming. Specifically we are educating people in the US and around the world that the climate crisis is both urgent and solvable.

WRAP
http://www.wrap.org.uk/retail/the_guide_to_evolving_packaging_design/index.html
This UK based site provides online guidance provides ideas, tips and practical tools to help you change the way packaging is produced and used.

WRI-The World Resources Institute
http://www.wri.org/
WRI provides—and helps other institutions provide—objective information and practical proposals for policy and institutional change that will foster environmentally sound, socially equitable development.

WWF-World Wildlife Fund
http://www.wwf.org/
WWF's mission is the conservation of nature. Using the best available scientific knowledge and advancing that knowledge where we can, we work to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth and the health of ecological systems by protecting natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, promoting sustainable approaches to the use of renewable natural resources; and promoting more efficient use of resources and energy and the maximum reduction of pollution.

Join Us

The Solution Starts with You

Thank you for your interest in joining the SFC. Everything starts somewhere, and you have a chance to be among the Founding Members of an organization that is headed in the right direction, with over 100 members currently and growing strong.

Benefits

As a member of the SFC, you will receive these benefits:

Use of the SFC logo
Inclusion in SFC promotions
Participation in workshops and events
Member networking and sourcing help
Access to compiled information and resources

Most importantly, you will be one of the recognized leaders in moving the industry toward a better future.

Requirements

Requirements for membership are strict, but attainable to ensure that all members adequately demonstrate the same commitment to sustainability. Our Standards Committee is currently reviewing all legitimate, independent certification schemes to establish ongoing eligibility requirements. All who join in 2007 will be designated Founding Members as long as they are members in good standing. Our application for 2008 is published October 2007, with three status levels: Applicant, Basic or Exemplary. Applicant members will have 12-month grace period to come into compliance with our standards for Basic or Exemplary membership.

To join the SFC, Applicants must provide the following:

Statement in the public domain that indicates alignment with SFC’s mission
Evidence of performance to back up commitment to sustainable practices
Continual improvement toward sustainability in all company operations
Awareness and acceptance of role of 3rd party certification mechanisms
Public promotion of the SFC.

Membership Applications

Exemplary Membership Requirements Table 2008

Objective Criteria for SFC Standards and Equivalency

Contact Us

Sustainable Furniture Council

PO Box 205
Chapel Hill NC 27514

Telephone 919 967 1137

Executive Director:susan@sustainablefurniturecouncil.org

Administrative Director: alison@sustainablefurniturecouncil.org

Director of Development: chris@sustainablefurniturecouncil.org

Board of Directors/Marketing Chair: jeff@sustainablefurniturecouncil.org

Technical & Creative Resources: jennifer@sustainablefurniturecouncil.org

SFC Board Members - February 2008

Executive Committee
President	Gerry Cooklin, South Cone
Vice President	Amy Chender, ABC Carpet & Home
Secretary	Daphne Hewitt, Rainforest Alliance
Treasurer	Gat Caperton, Caperton Furnitureworks
Chairpersons
Standards Co-Chair	Steve Freeman, Room & Board
Standards Co-Chair	Daphne Hewitt, Rainforest Alliance
Standards Co-Chair	David Mahood, Olive Designs
Marketing Chair	Jeff Hiller HHH Marketing Group
Education Co-Chair	Margaret Casey, World Market Center
Education Co-Chair	Michael Hennessey, CG Sparks
Additional Members
Steve Gretzinger, Zak Resources Greg Harden, Harden Furniture Mike Italiano, Market Transformation to Sustainability Victoria Schomer, Green Built Environments Bernadette Upton, EcoDecor, Inc. Kerry Cesareo, World Wildlife Fund
Ex-Oficio
Executive Director	Susan Inglis, From The Mountain
Board of Advisors
Ray Allegrezza, Furniture Today Jon Dougal, Green Sage Deborah Dunning, International Design Center for the Environment Clodagh, Clodagh Gene Nix, Gibson Guitars Tucker Robbins, Tucker Robbins Joseph Stalnaker, Avangard Innovative

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