Global challenges with European solutions: The fundamental role of EFIC

Transcription

1 EFIA General Assembly Tartu, 26 October 2017 Global challenges with European solutions: The fundamental role of EFIC Ms. Roberta Dessí, Secretary General Mr. Egil Sundet, Board member

2 About EFIC: - Members - Structure What EFIC does - EFIC role - EFIC main activities EFIC vision International challenges - A strong European voice Overview WHO WE ARE WHAT WE DO OUR GOALS

3 About EFIC current members EFIC the European Furniture Industries Confederation - is the voice of the jointly united European Furniture industries. EFIC was founded in 2006 and now represents more than the 70% of the total turnover of the furniture industries in Europe. EFIC 2020: A strong furniture voice in Europe.

4 About EFIC - structure EFIC is composed by: General Assembly Board Secretariat Technical Working Group Ad Hoc Task Forces Rapporteurs EFIC Board members (most of them) and EFIC Secretariat, June 2017

5 What EFIC does Advocacy Monitoring Networking Meetings & Events

6 Monitoring EFIC monitors and informs New legislative proposals Public consultations Opportunities e.g. projects Newsletter

7 Advocacy EFIC defends and promotes Active and reactive on issues of interest Registered stakeholder Expert groups and consultative platforms European voice European Parliament, Plenary session

8 Networking and exchange platform EFIC promotes and supports Information Networking opportunities Common projects Exchange of practices

9 Meetings & Events EFIC organises Annual event Board meetings General Assembly Case meetings Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU

10 EFIC s main activities Some concrete cases

11 The Case for FLAME RETARDANT FREE FURNITURE Problems with existing fire safety regulations, standards and test methods Domestic vs Public/Contract Market Concern over the use of flame retardants: health, environment, competitiveness, fire safety Many EU-level discussions involved: Circular Economy, Non-Toxic Environmental Strategy, Fire Safety platform, Barriers to trade

12 The Case for FLAME RETARDANT FREE FURNITURE Several actions, including: Legal complaint against UK and Ireland Furniture for Green Public Procurement Non-Toxic Environmental Strategy Regular informative newsletter GPP criteria for furniture products, 2017

13 New limits on hardwood dust Change in exposure limit values for hardwood dust under the Revision of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD) EFIC active in lobbying the European Parliament and Council of the EU Revision took place in 2017 formal adoption by the end of the year New limits will be applied to furniture companies all over Europe

14 French draft regulation on VOC labelling New French regulation on formaldehyde emission from furniture products notified to the European Commission (January 2017) High concern: requirements for testing, extremely low emission classes, very high costs and lack of chamber capacity EFIC presented comments to European Commission and Member States Reactions from Italy, Latvia, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, Austria, Commission, Germany France has not yet adopted legislation - revising internal strategy

15 New mandatory furniture standards in China Notified to the WTO in 2015 EFIC and IKEA presented technical, legal, economic analysis European Union raised the market access case towards Chinese representatives at WTO EU- China discussion ongoing China has not yet adopted the mandatory standards and asked for a technical discussion with European experts European Union (EC) will facilitate the discussion

16 Circular Economy Priority of the European Commission Shortage of resources: change from linear to circular Important for the furniture industry - Use of chemicals in products - Extended producers responsibility (EPR) scheme - Increase recyclability, refurbishment, reuse - Eco-design This year (2017): interphase chemical, production and waste; waste directives

17 European Social Dialogue Furniture Organised by European Commission 3 times/year Furniture employers association and trade unions Opportunities for projects Main topics o o o o o Ageing workforce Apprenticeship opportunities Education and skilled labour Social Partners common topics and positions DIGIT-FUR and Bolster-up II projects

18 International cooperation 10 th Deco 2017 Conference in Tehran, Iran The Iran National Council of Furniture, Decoration and Correlated Industries invited EFIC members to take part to the 10th International Conference on World Trade in Furniture, Design, Art, Decoration and Correlated Industries (DECO 2017) in Tehran, Iran. The Conference will take place on 3 rd December and the Iranian Association will offer travel and accommodation costs for up to 2 guests for each EFIC member association.

19 Background EFIC vision 2020 International challenges and European solution Global competition Increasing protectionism/market access problems Limited natural resources Environmental demands and circular economy Ageing workforce Skilled workers Consumers demands for sustainable and economic products Not-fully harmonised European internal market

20 EFIC vision 2020 The European Furniture Industry position towards European and global challenges

21 EFIC vision 2020: A strong furniture voice in Europe 1. EFIC is a strong, proactive, working independent and efficient confederation 2. EFIC is representing the main furniture producing countries in Europe 3. EFIC is recognised and well established as the voice of furniture industry in Europe 4. EFIC has a positive reputation and image in the furniture industry 5. EFIC can concretely avoid negative upcoming conditions for the furniture industry 6. EFIC sets own initiatives to support the furniture industry 7. EFIC is a clear advocacy organization 8. EFIC is efficiently organised and responsibilities are spread between the President and rapporteurs appointed for specific topics Furniture Growth Agenda

22 EFIC vision 2020 EFIC membership categories Full members Associated members Partners National EU/EEA federations Furniture producers only Single companies Federations from not-eu/eea country Furniture producers only Partners and sponsors Suppliers or others willing to support EFIC work No conflict of interests

23 EFIC vision 2020 We invite EFIA and Estonian furniture companies to be members of EFIC For a stronger and representative furniture industry in Europe!

24 Questions?

25 Thank you Contacts: +32 (0) Follow EFIC on: the European Furniture Industries Confederation