The preliminary results of the massive survey conducted under the FurnCIRCLE project were presented during the EFIC Furniture Days 2024, which took place in Antwerp on June 11 and 12. The survey, which gathered insights from 108 companies across Europe, aimed to determine the maturity and readiness of businesses in adopting sustainable practices.
The survey, distributed during April and May 2024, assessed companies based on their progress in various sustainability dimensions between 2021, 2024, and projected into 2027. Key areas of focus included certifications, sustainability management, awareness of sustainability legislation, and the implementation of circular economy principles.
Survey representativeness
Key Findings
Certifications, Labels and Protocols:
A significant portion of the surveyed companies are increasingly engaging with certifications like FSC, ISO 14001, and others.
While 67% of the companies have already adopted FSC, there is also a notable interest in ISO/FDIS 59020 for Circular Economy, with 40% considering its adoption.
Circular Economy Development:
Companies are steadily moving up the maturity scale in their application of circular economy practices. For example, monitoring the development of the implementation of circular economy design principles within companies, we can see a substantial shift with 69% of respondents expected to reach higher maturity levels by 2027 compared to 29% in 2024.
Sustainability Management:
There is a clear upward trend in companies’ efforts to manage sustainability more comprehensively. For instance, the percentage of companies at the highest levels of sustainability management is expected to rise from 5% in 2024 to 32% by 2027.
Policies and trainings for professional development in sustainability are also advancing, with 59% of companies projected to have extensive sustainability training programs by 2027, compared to just 17% in 2024.
Legislative Awareness:
Awareness of new sustainability legislation remains a challenge. Current knowledge levels of critical regulations such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities are low, but are anticipated to grow significantly as deadlines approach.
Comparative Insights:
Medium to large enterprises show higher engagement and progress in sustainability compared to their micro and small counterparts. For instance, larger companies demonstrate more substantial growth in areas like monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and implementing life cycle assessments.
Sector-Specific Dynamics:
Companies also operating in public administration show different sustainability dynamics compared to those in other sectors. These companies are more advanced in areas such as hazardous substances management and life cycle assessments (LCAs).
Future Directions:
The survey underscores the furniture industry's increasing alignment with sustainability goals, driven by both regulatory pressures and market demand. However, it also highlights the need for continuous support and resources, especially for smaller companies, to ensure broad-based progress across the industry.
These preliminary results provide a snapshot of the industry's current state and forecast a future where sustainable practices are integral to business operations. The complete analysis, which will offer deeper insights, will be available after the summer.
