Media Releases
Storm Over Procurement Loopholes
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...
Australian Contemporary & Emerging (ACE) Design Awards Finalists Enter into 2020 Good Design Australia Awards
The global search for the best in design and innovation is on and ACE Finalists are in the mix! The Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) supports the industry’s design achievements and the next step in the career of AFA Finalists as they enter the 2020 Good...
AFA ANNOUNCES Australian Contemporary Emerging Design Award Winners
MEDIA RELEASE 14 January 2020 AFA ANNOUNCES Australian Contemporary Emerging design AWARD WINNERSThe Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) has announced the 2019 Australian Contemporary Emerging Design Awards (ACE). The focus for the 2019 Awards for Australian...
LUXXBOX BRINGS HOME SWAG OF INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
In a major coup for authentic Australian design, AFA Member, Luxxbox, has taken out a number of awards at NeoCon 2019, the world’s leading trade show event for the commercial design industry. Making their NeoCon debut this year, Luxxbox showcased a number of new...
Double win for tree-saving tech
A world-first Australian technology that converts plantation logs into mature hardwood in just a day, has won two Awards at this year's prestigious Good Design Awards Ceremony. 3RT's digital production unit won the Engineering Design category for outstanding design...
Last Chance To Enter International Pinnacle Awards 2019
Entries into the 2019 ACE Awards© have been granted direct entry into the 2019 USA International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD) Pinnacle Awards® (*criteria applies). Judged by a panel of International adjudicators, including AFA CEO, Patrizia Torelli, the...
Product Recall Insurance a MUST for Furnishing Industry
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. Australian businesses in the furnishing industry are responsible...
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...
Steinhoff write-offs pass $US14 billion as accounts crisis deepens
What does this mean for its Australian operations and the furniture retail market in general? READ MORE
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
Biosecurity and Illegal Logging Free Service
Did you know, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has a free service available to confidentially report information about suspected breaches of Australian biosecurity laws? Redline allows callers to report matters that may not be detected, reported or...
IKEA recall of children’s furniture still on the minds of young families
In recent times the headlines have read ‘IKEA Re-announces recall of MALM and other models of chests and dressers due to serious tip-over hazard; 8th child fatality reported; consumers urged to choose between refund or repair. These headlines have been related to US...
Importers Beware – YOU are legally responsible for the goods YOU import
Are you aware that your business is responsible for any product that you import, manufacture, sell, supply or distribute? This means that you can be held liable for any defect or other condition that renders the product unsafe and results in injury, death or damage....
Buying furniture for a venue? Top Tips for venue operators to avoid the risks of litigation.
In recent months the Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) has assisted a number of furniture industry businesses to manage litigious situations. The increase in insurance claims is due to the lack of understanding by venue operators in procuring the correct...
AFA AND ASA ANNOUNCE NEW NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING SUPPORT
The peak body representing employers in the Furnishing industry, the Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) has announced a national alliance with Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) to assist its nationwide membership to build workplace capability using the...
Four baby cots recalled in one month
The Australasian Furnishing Association is alarmed to learn that four separate baby cots have been recalled the ACCC in just one month. Even more alarming is the fact that all three were sold online. ‘With the impending launch of Amazon into Australia, we’re concerned...
AFA and AGHA Form Partnership To Launch Industry Leading Events Across Australia
An exciting new working partnership between the Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) and the Australian Gift and Homewares Association (AGHA) will see the launch of new industry events and an upscaling of existing events across Australia commencing in February...
Australian Furniture Association becomes Australasian Furnishing Association
As you may now be aware, The AFA has recently become the Australasian Furnishing Association. AFA Chairman, Carlo Gosatti announced "Our new name, the Australasian Furnishing Association, and slightly modified logo, reflect the transformational change we are embarking...
Are You Sitting on a Cancer-Causing Couch?
As previously researched and reported by the Australian Furniture Association, the concerns about hazardous AZO dyes in clothing and bed linen have recently been extended to include textiles and leather used in the manufacture of furniture into Australia. In July this...
Warning on Toppling Furniture following the Death of another Child
NSW Fair Trading and other consumer affairs agencies across the country have launched a campaign to ensure parents and carers know how to protect their children and prevent a serious accident from toppling furniture and TVs. NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Rod Stowe,...