EU Public Affairs for Furniture

Navigating the EU Policy Landscape for Furniture

Furniture and upholstery are moving up the EU sustainability policy agenda, with
new product-design requirements set to have direct implications for how companies
design, produce and place products on the European market. At the same time, the
future direction of end-of-life policies remains less clear. With upcoming national
measures, the picture for furniture policy for companies operating across Europe is
somewhat patchwork.

Beyond product requirements, furniture companies are also facing growing
expectations around supply chain traceability, due diligence and social sustainability.
As policymakers and consumers place greater emphasis on transparency,
responsible sourcing and working conditions across value chains, businesses will
need to demonstrate not only how products are made, but also where and under
what conditions.

As these rules take shape, furniture companies have an important role to play in both
helping to positively shape and inform a more ambitious sustainability framework for
the sector but also helping to ensure that policy ambition translates into requirements
that are effective and feasible in practice.

OHANA HELPS ORGANISATIONS TURN EXPERTISE INTO CLEAR POLICY POSITIONS AND EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN BRUSSELS.

EU Public Affairs and Policy Support & Regulatory Implementation

Turning EU product policy into practical implications. We help furniture companies and organisations understand how sustainability policies, from product design and supply-chain transparency to circularity and end-of-life management, could affect their products, operations and wider business strategy.
Deep sustainability expertise across connected sectors. Our work across adjacent/linked sectors such as home textiles, upholstery and mattresses and their value chains means we can identify where regulatory approaches overlap, where gaps are emerging and what these could mean for the furniture sector.
Bringing sector realities into policymaking to help shape a more coherent and ambitious policy framework. As new sustainability requirements are developed for furniture, we help companies translate technical and operational experience into credible policy input, so that environmental ambition is matched by workable implementation.
Growing sector experience. Our work across production, sourcing, supply chains and end-of-life issues gives us a strong understanding of where sustainability challenges arise across the sector. For example, we can advise companies on the implications of the EUDR, CSDDD, Forced Labour Regulation and multiple others and support them in understanding regulatory requirements to putting the systems and processes in place to demonstrate compliance.
Connecting the right stakeholders & building collective influence. We draw on relationships with policymakers, NGOs, industry representatives and adjacent sectors to help clients build support and strengthen their engagement in Brussels. We support clients to collaborate around shared policy priorities, helping build coalitions and campaigns that can strengthen the sector’s voice in sustainability discussions. One recently launched EU-funded project in which Ohana is a project partner, MELANGE, sits precisely at the intersection of industry, broader stakeholder engagement and policymaking.

HOW WE SUPPORT FURNITURE COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS

A partnership with Ohana can range from support on focused policy insight and
strategic advice to sustained engagement on EU sustainability and circular economy
policy.

Whether you want to anticipate regulatory change, clarify your policy priorities or
build greater influence around the future of footwear policy, Ohana can support you.