New Standard for Fully Finished Furniture GECA-28 Furniture and Fittings

Release of New Modified GECA 28 - Furniture and Fittings Standards

Good Environmental Choice Australia is pleased to announce the release of a new standard for fully finished furniture - GECA-28 Furniture and Fittings 2010 and the revision of existing standard - GECA-28 Furniture and Fittings 2006 (Modified 2010.)

GECA has now released GECA-28 Furniture and Fittings 2010 in its final form. This release comes after three phases of public and industry consultation and review with manufacturers and other interested parties. This standard covers seven categories of fully finished home and office furniture products: office chairs; office desks and tables; domestic chairs; domestic desks and tables; bedroom furniture; fittings; and recycled furniture.

The GBCA (Green Building Council of Australia) has confirmed that products certified under the 2010 standard will be recognised at Level A, entitling conforming products to 100% of available Green Star points. The 2010 Standard does not recognise ceiling tiles or furniture other than fully finished furniture. The 2010 furniture standard is now in operation (as of 16 December 2010).

Rather than discontinuing the GECA-28 Furniture and Fittings 2006 (Modified 2010) standard upon release of the 2010 Standard, GECA has decided to retain the 2006 version in an amended form until July 2011. This will enable manufacturers to obtain certification under the (modified) conditions until 13 July 2011.

Under the 2006 modified standard manufacturers and distributors of furniture can seek certification where the product utilises fabric, but where the full range of potential fabrics are not assessed at the time of certification. The 2006 Modified Standard will run in parallel with the 2010 Standard (until 13 July 2011).

It has been confirmed by the GBCA that until the release of the GBCA's new material calculators, products certified under the Modified 2006 Standard will be recognised at Level A, entitling conforming products to 100% of available Green Star points. After the release of the GBCA's new materials calculators, the Modified 2006 Standard will go to Level B and products certified against the Modified 2006 Standard will be entitled to 65% of the available Green Star points.

There will be further consultation in 2011.

GECA is also announcing a consultation process for situations where the full range of fabrics cannot be assessed at the time of certification.The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on whether or not GECA ought to develop a mechanism for certification of furniture where the fabric, which is ultimately to be applied to the furniture, is not identified at the time of certification. The consultation process will invite manufacturers and other stakeholders to participate. In developing standards for environmentally preferably products, GECA considers whether or not a standard should contain provisions relevant to each potential environmental impact.

Details of the consultation will be made available by February 2011.

As a result of these developments, manufacturers have three options for obtaining GECA certification:

1. to seek certification under the new 2010 standard;
2. to maintain existing certification, or seek certification, under the modified 2006 standard; or
3. to wait for the outcome of the 2011 consultations, regarding situations with furniture products where the fabrics to be used are not all known at the time of certification.

Please visit the GECA Standards Register at http://www.geca.org.au/StandardsRegister.htm to view the standards in full. To view the detailed Technical Note on the changes summarized above please visit http://www.geca.org.au/corporate/news.htm.