About
OVERVIEW
Our logo assures you that
Sustainable Furnishings Council members are required to:
1. A commitment to sustainability
2. Transparency about how you are living that commitment
3. A commitment to continuous improvement
The social impact statements that most closely apply to our organization's mission statement
Economic empowerment and value, Quality of life in the community, Preserving tradition and cultural legacies, Self-empowerment, Energy conservation, Eco-friendly production, Environmental conservation, Animal welfare, Species preservation
Our organization screens
Raw materials, Production process, Impact of use, Business practices
How often our organization monitors compliance of our standards
Annual
How our organization monitors compliance of our standards
Peer review, Self reporting
Our mission statement
The SFC is a non-profit balanced coalition of industry players committed to promoting sustainable practices within the home furnishings industry and raising awareness among consumers and buyers. We believe that these practices are critical for maintaining a healthy balance between environmental conservation, social equity, and economic development.
The history of our organization
The Sustainable Furnishings Council is a non-profit balanced coalition of industry players 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 organization's standards for producers, products, or sellers
SFC criteria for membership are simple and our standards for Exemplary membership status are high.
To be a member of SFC, an individual or company must sign our Member Commitment Pledge, and companies also fill our Best Practice Agreement. These documents are posted on the SFC website and applicant website.
SFC recognizes Exemplary Membership at 3 levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Requirements include:
For manufacturers for Silver: 15-25% wood used is FSC-certified, or demonstrated equivalent; 1-25% non-wood materials are recycled or bio-based; Have in place a supplier code of conduct that covers social equity issues; Submit a carbon footprint report; 5 optional credits points
For manufacturers for Gold: 25-50% wood used is FSC-certified, or demonstrated equivalent; 25-50% non-wood materials are recycled or bio-based; Have in place a supplier code of conduct that covers social equity issues; Submit a carbon footprint report; Show that their supply chain has been impacted with improvement; Perform an LCA on at least one product platform; 10 optional credits points
For manufacturers for Platinum: SMART Sustainable Furniture Certification (or equivalent) allowing four optional levels of achievement based on credits earned.
For Retailers for Silver: At least 15% of home furnishings products sold originate from manufacturers known to produce sustainable product; Be responsible for at least 1 SFC-sanctioned educational or promotional event per year; Submit a Carbon Footprint report detailing the Baseline Inventory thermal and electrical usage of applicant?s store(s); Use 50% compact fluorescent bulbs, or LED in stores; Recycle 50% of all packaging materials; 5 optional credits points.
For Retailers for Gold: At least 25% of home furnishings products sold originate from manufacturers known to produce sustainable product; Be responsible for at least 2 SFC-sanctioned educational or promotional event per year; Submit a Carbon Footprint report detailing the Baseline Inventory thermal and electrical usage of applicant?s store (s); Use 75% compact fluorescent bulbs, or LED in stores; Recycle 75% of all packaging materials; 10 optional credits points.
For Retailers for Platinum: At least 75% of home furnishings products sold originate from manufacturers known to produce sustainable product; Be responsible for at least 4 SFC-sanctioned educational or promotional event per year; Submit a Carbon Footprint report detailing the Baseline Inventory thermal and electrical usage of applicant?s store(s); Use 100% compact fluorescent bulbs, or LED in stores; Recycle 100% of all packaging materials; 25 optional credits points.
How we developed our standards
SFC criteria for membership and standards for exemplary membership were developed by a balanced coalition of members in a transparent consensus process. The criteria was set in a series of meetings and discussions over the course of a year. Participants included committed and expert individuals. The team included: international conservation organizations, retailers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, media, educators, and several involved in the founding of the USGBC.
Summary of our process for screening new producers, products, or sellers
Members applications are posted on the SFC website and vetted in discussion in the public domain.
How we regularly monitor compliance of our standards
see above
Our monitoring process including who performs the monitoring
Member applications are posted in the public domain on our website http://new.sustainablefurnishings.org/content/members
The fee structure for our monitoring system
Our corporate membership dues are based on Annual Sales or Institutional Budget of the organization. The range of dues is as follows: Up to $500,000 = $250/year; $500,001-1 Million = $750/year; $1-5 Million = $1250/year; $5-25 Million = $1,500/year; $25-50 Million = $1,750/year; $50- 150 Million = $2,000/year; and $150 Million +1 = $3,000/year.
We also accept individual members for $125/year or student members for $25/year.
Monitored regions
Global
More information about our organization
We'd also like to tell you...
Our database of members is searchable by product and region
http://new.sustainablefurnishings.org/civicrm/profile?reset=1&gid=12
For businesses or producers that want to work with us, we recommend you do the following...
Join Us as a Member!