Overcoming the “back to work blues”

Feb 2, 2022

The holiday season is essentially over and many of us are returning to work and finding it hard to adjust.  Some of the adjustment is about travelling to and from work in traffic, others include spending time again with people you may or may not like, learning again...

SGS Partners with the Australasian Furnishing Association

Jan 10, 2022

SGS has joined the ranks of premium partners for the benefit of Australasian Furnishing Association Members. SGS company will provide up-to-date technical information and testing services to AFA’s Members internationally  “SGS has accepted an invitation to become a...

Enabling Global Connections

Jan 10, 2022

The Australian Furniture Association also internationally known as The Australasian Furnishing Association. This reflects the Association’s commitment to meeting clear globally-focused attention to the quality, high standards and safety of Australian furnishing...

Coaching and Mentoring

Nov 27, 2021

As leaders of businesses, we have many responsibilities. These range from dealing with the day to day operational aspects of our businesses and handling business finances to developing the people working with us. Each of these is critical and warrants much of our time...

Safety and Wellbeing

Nov 27, 2021

Safety and Wellbeing (often also known as Occupational Health and Safety) relies on a combination of a strong policy framework and a commitment by business owners and leaders to people and safety for a successful and a safe work environment. Every work environment,...

An engaged team – your best marketers!  

Nov 27, 2021

Business owners and leaders work very hard to build their brand and to develop and maintain their reputation in the marketplace. This process often takes many years of investment in time and money and it is critical to ensure all aspects of your business support the...

Australian Businesses responsible for imported product safety

Nov 27, 2021

As a result they can be held liable for any defect or other condition that renders the product unsafe and results in injury, death or damage. Generally, all businesses that manufacture or import products will have Public & Products Liability Insurance. However,...

Furnishing Industry Timber Due Diligence Toolkit LAUNCHED

Oct 10, 2021

The Australasian Furnishing Association is proud to launch the Furnishing Industry Timber Due Diligence Toolkit. ‘The AFA, together with stakeholder partners and the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, has developed the ‘AFA Timber Due Diligence System’ to...

Australian Online Household Furniture Sales On Upward Trajectory

Oct 1, 2021

Australian Online Household Furniture Sales On Upward Trajectory The tables have turned: The impact of COVID-19 and trading restrictions have encouraged consumers to buy more furniture online. IBISWorld’s analysts constantly monitor the industry impacts of...

5 Top Tips for Manufacturers To Go Direct To Consumer

Oct 1, 2021

Going direct-to-consumer (D2C) comes with a range of options to shape-shift manufacturing businesses from a strictly B2B model to an online solution. Read on for tips and learn what goes into establishing a D2C ecommerce site.

The renewed love affair with products manufactured in Australia at risk when the lines are blurred

Oct 1, 2021

The resurgence of interest in products that are made in Australia has been significant in the past two years. Australian consumers, buyers and specifiers are willing to pay for products they believe are made in, grown in or product of Australia, or support local jobs and businesses. Even Australia’s Governments’ are beginning to push for ‘buy local’. However, any Country of Origin claim should provide consumers with clear, accurate and truthful information about what they are buying. Significant penalties apply if a product is misrepresented

Who is Responsible for Furnishings in the Safe Work Environment?

May 1, 2021

A person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary duty under the Work Health and Safety Act to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other persons are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the business or undertaking....

PRODUCT RECALLS ON THE RISE   

Apr 19, 2021

Product recalls are on the rise as ever increasing consumer protection and new regulations come into play. It does not take much of a defect to fail to meet various legislation and Australian Standards. When a recall is declared by a government agency or a retailer,...

The real cost of getting workplace compliance wrong

Jan 12, 2021

From reinstatement of a dismissed employee to unlimited damages that could go into hundreds of thousands of dollars. As an employer, what could you be hit by? Businesses have to deal with a really complex set of rules when it comes to managing employees. As difficult...

How the workplace affects employee health and wellbeing

Nov 27, 2020

The most direct effect that workplaces have on employee health and wellbeing is through the occurrence of injuries or illness due to work. Our workplaces affect the types of risks involved. Workplaces with high levels of physical work (for example, those that involve...

Storm Over Procurement Loopholes

Oct 27, 2020

A storm is brewing over government procurement policies within the furnishing sector, with Members of Australia’s peak industry body, the Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA), pushing for reform. It seems that the AFA may have ‘hit a nerve’, with the issue...