ENVIRONMENTAL. SOCIAL. GOVERNANCE.
The Australasian Furniture Association places a strong emphasis on supporting and advising Members about their obligations around safety, standards, compliance and regulatory requirements.
We actively support our Members’ with the delivery of programs and services whilst promoting action across the industry to improve the professional reputation and integrity of the furnishing industry.
AFA Members receive support and advice to assist them to be streets ahead of the competition and be responsible, compliant suppliers to minimise risk to their businesses and their clients.
ESG Criteria
Each of the three elements of ESG investing – environmental, social, and governance – is comprised of a number of criteria that may be considered by clients including procurement bodies, socially responsible investors, consumers or companies wanting to work with ESG-friendly organisations.
ESG – Environmental
Environmental criteria include such things as a company’s use of renewable energy sources, its waste management program, how it handles potential problems of air or water pollution arising from its operations, deforestation issues (if applicable), and raw material sourcing.
ESG – Social
Social criteria cover an extremely wide range of potential issues. There are many separate social aspects of ESG, but all of them are essentially about social relationships. One of the key relationships for a company is the company’s relationship with its employees.
Including:
- Fair pay conditions.
- Safe working conditions.
- Career Advancement.
- Access to training.
- Flexible ‘work from home’ conditions.
- Additional benefits and incentives.
ESG – Governance
Governance in the context of ESG is essentially about how advocacy is managed by those in executive positions. How well do executive management and the advisory councils attend to the interests of the association’s various stakeholders – employees, community, suppliers and customers? Regulatory, supply chain and compliance transparency and relevant reporting are considered key elements of good governance.
Want to know more? Lodge your enquiry below or contact the AFA via our Contact Us page.
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LATEST NEWS
Urban Eyesore – the Tip of the Iceberg
Bushfire and flood emergencies have highlighted the extent of Australia’s furniture waste problem – a familiar urban eyesore on pavements and nature strips and a massive public health and disposal issue for Councils. However, what we see on our streets, is only the tip of the iceberg, as far as furniture waste is concerned.
IChEMS: Australia’s new Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard
The Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard directs industrial chemical introduction, use and disposal.
How your business can gain more tax incentives for energy upgrades
Business Australia and the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) are hosting a panel discussion on how smart energy can improve business productivity and cut costs. Register here
Industry Opportunity Through Stewardship System
A resilient and sustainable furniture industry, with Australia positioned as a global leader in innovation, is the aim of a three-year programme to develop a commercial furniture Product Stewardship system with minimal financial impact on the industry.
Buying furniture for a venue? Top tips to avoid the risk of litigation.
The Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) continues to assist its Members manage litigious situations. The increase in claims is due to the lack of understanding from Buyers or Specifiers about the right, fit for purpose product and the maintenance regime required...
Scientists link low sperm count and other health concerns to chemical exposure in furniture products
Scientists have linked the fact that men in the Western world produce half as much sperm as they did 40 years ago due to exposure to toxic chemicals.
Chemicals management in the Australian furniture and furnishing industry – Final Report
Chemicals management in the Australian furniture – Chemicals of concern are a growing health and environmental issue.
SGS Partners with the Australasian Furnishing Association
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...
Timber Due Diligence Compliance Toolkit
Timber Due Diligence Compliance Want to Book your own dedicated Timber Due Diligence Compliance Check for your Business Team? Businesses and individuals who import regulated timber products into Australia, or who process domestically grown raw logs, may face penalties...
Australian Businesses responsible for imported product safety
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, the...
Protect Your Family From Toppling Furniture – A Best Practice Guide
Children like climbing on things, especially if there is something attractive up high. Household furniture like bookshelves, wardrobes, storage and entertainment units can be attractive to climb. So too is furniture such as tallboys or home office filing cabinets, where pulled-out drawers can act as stairs for climbing.
If tipped over, the weight of the unit and its contents become a lethal force.
The latest version of the AFA’s Toppling Furniture Prevention Best Practice Guide is now available.
Furnishing Industry Timber Due Diligence Toolkit LAUNCHED
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...
Understanding and Exploring Chemicals Management in the Furniture and Furnishing Industry
Research shows that chemicals of concern used in manufactured furniture and furnishings can lead to environmental and health impacts and the industry was recently earmarked by government for review.
The top three business risks: Cyber, Supply Chain and Regulatory Compliance
*source Metis Advisory The recently released Allianz Risk Barometer ranked the top business risks, based on the views of more than 1,900 risk management experts globally. Here, METIS looks at the top three identified business risk for Australia and discuss how they...
Pokies players hurt while playing poker machines
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/pokies-players-getting-hurt-while-playing-poker-machines/news-story/c8ba389062205914afd5746357df024d http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6021293/Poker-players-risk-broken-hips-wrists-thanks-cheap-Chinese-furniture.html
PRODUCT RECALLS ON THE RISE
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
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...
Bunks and Bean Bags top the list of failures
A further nine furniture product safety recalls were reported to the ACCC this month, with Bunk Beds and Bean Bags heading the list and eBay being amongst the sellers under scrutiny. Retailers have been warned to meet their obligations. Concerns are increasing over...
Focus on furnishing industry standards now at critical point
Standards are applied to protect buyers, consumers and users. They are used to demonstrate a commitment to the community’s expectation of a safe and sustainable Australia and are recognised as a value-add to Australia’s economic efficiency, trade and international...
Consumers to benefit from increased penalties under Australian Consumer Law
Federal Parliament has increased maximum financial penalties under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). In its final report on the ACL Review, Consumer Affairs Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) recommended penalties for a breach of the ACL be raised from $1.1 million...