Certificates and labels – guidance for sustainable furniture procurement

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Sustainability is a key concern in the public sector, and choosing environmentally friendly and socially responsible products is an important step towards sustainable procurement. But how can you ensure that the products you buy are truly sustainable? This is where certificates and labels come into play, offering reliable guidance. In this blog, we provide an overview of the most important environmental and social labels in the furniture sector, explain criteria for assessing their credibility and give practical tips for integrating certificates into tenders and procurement processes. We also show how Bruno Wickart can support public institutions in the selection and verification of sustainable labels.

The most important environmental and social labels in the furniture sector

Environmental and social labels play a central role in the area of sustainable procurement. They provide clear evidence that a product or service meets certain sustainability standards. Here are some of the most important labels that are relevant to furniture procurement:

Blue Angel:

  • The Blue Angel is the oldest environmental label in the world and stands for high environmental standards. It is awarded to products that are manufactured in a way that conserves resources, have low emissions and do not contain any substances that are harmful to the environment or health. Furniture with the Blue Angel is often particularly durable and recyclable.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council):

  • The FSC seal guarantees that wood products come from sustainably managed forests in which ecological, social and economic standards are adhered to. It ensures that forests are preserved in the long term and that the rights of the people living there are respected.

PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification):

  • Similar to the FSC seal, the PEFC label also confirms that wood comes from sustainably managed forests. It focuses on the protection of biodiversity, the conservation of forest resources and compliance with social standards.

Cradle to Cradle:

  • This label recognizes products that are designed with the circular economy in mind. They can be completely reused or biodegraded without leaving any waste behind. Cradle to Cradle evaluates products according to five categories: Material Health, Recycling, Renewable Energy, Water Management and Social Responsibility.

EU Ecolabel:

  • The EU Ecolabel is an environmental label that recognizes products that have a lower environmental impact throughout their life cycle. It takes into account a variety of environmental aspects, such as energy consumption, pollutant emissions and recyclability.

Fair Trade:

  • The Fair Trade label stands for fairly traded products that have been manufactured under social and ecological conditions. It guarantees fair wages, good working conditions and the exclusion of child labor.

Criteria for assessing the credibility of labels

Not every label that promises sustainability is equally trustworthy. It is therefore important to check the credibility of the various certificates and labels. Here are some criteria to help you do this:
  1. Transparency:
    • A credible label is transparent in terms of its award criteria and the organizations behind it. All information should be easily accessible and comprehensible so that users can understand the requirements.
  2. Independent control:
    • Certificates awarded by independent organizations are more trustworthy than those managed by the industry itself. External audits and regular reviews of compliance with the criteria are essential.
  3. Holistic approach:
    • A credible label takes into account the entire life cycle of a product – from raw material extraction through production and use to disposal. Labels that only assess partial aspects are often less meaningful.
  4. Recognition and dissemination:
    • The more widely a label is recognized and the more products are labeled with it, the more likely it is to be an established and reliable certificate. International recognition and acceptance are important criteria here.
  5. Regular updating:
    • A good label regularly adapts its criteria to new scientific findings and technical developments. This ensures that the labeled products always meet the latest standards.

Tips for integrating certificates into tenders and procurement processes

To effectively integrate sustainability criteria into tenders and procurement processes, public institutions should follow a few basic steps:
  1. Establish minimum standards:
    • Define clear minimum standards for the required environmental and social criteria in your tenders. These can refer to recognized labels such as the Blue Angel or FSC and must apply equally to all bidders.
  2. Consideration of life cycle costs:
    • When evaluating bids, consider not only the purchase price, but also the life cycle costs (total cost of ownership). Products with a longer service life and lower operating costs often perform better, even if they are more expensive to purchase.
  3. Use of points systems:
    • A points system that gives more weight to sustainable criteria helps to give preference to sustainable products and services. Criteria such as energy efficiency, material health and social responsibility should be taken into account.
  4. Demand clear evidence:
    • Ask suppliers to provide clear evidence that they meet the required sustainability criteria. Acceptable evidence includes certificates from independent organizations or detailed reports on compliance with social standards.
  5. Training for procurement officers:
    • Train your employees in the application and evaluation of sustainability criteria. A sound knowledge of the various labels and their significance helps to make the right decisions.

Support from Bruno Wickart in the selection and verification of sustainable labels

Bruno Wickart offers comprehensive support in the selection and verification of sustainable labels in the procurement process. Our services include
  1. Advice on the selection of suitable labels:
    • We help you to find the right certificates for your procurement requirements. We take into account both environmental and social criteria and ensure that the selected labels meet the highest standards.
  2. Provision of sample criteria:
    • We provide you with sample criteria that are based on recognized certificates and can be adapted to your specific procurement needs. These criteria make it easier for you to integrate sustainable requirements into tenders.
  3. Proof of sustainability:
    • We support you in obtaining evidence and certificates for the products you select. We work closely with our suppliers and partners to ensure compliance with the required sustainability criteria.
  4. Training courses and workshops:
    • Our training courses and workshops provide your employees with in-depth knowledge about the various labels and their importance for sustainable procurement. In this way, we ensure that your procurement processes are up to date and that you can make informed decisions.
Conclusion Certificates and labels are an indispensable guide to sustainable procurement. They offer transparency and security and help to integrate environmental and social standards into the procurement process. With the right selection and application of labels, public institutions can ensure that their procurement practices are sustainable and responsible. Bruno Wickart is at your side as a reliable partner. Contact us today to find out more about our consulting and training services. Together we will find the best solutions for sustainable and future-oriented procurement. Source information: https://www.woeb.swiss/de/toolbox
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