Furniture compliance in the European Union

First Published: June 2022

The European Union’s furniture sector employs around 1 million workers across 130 thousand companies, generating an annual turnover of around €96 billion. 

Therefore, it may come as no surprise that the industry is highly regulated, with a wide range of safety legislations to abide by when manufacturing or importing furniture in the EU. In this article, we cover the essential regulations and requirements.

General Product Safety Directive (GPSD)

The GPSD applies to all consumer products being sold in the EU to ensure the product is safe and does not pose a risk to consumers.  

Furniture manufacturers and importers must ensure the furniture meets the GPSD standards through self-assessment. This can be done by conducting a risk assessment that covers the risks and risk categories associated with the product or by applying the harmonised standards that help provide a presumption of conformity to products.  

In case harmonised standards do not exist, the conformity of a product to the general safety requirement shall be assessed by taking into account the following elements in particular, where they exist: 

• Voluntary national standards transposing relevant European standards other than those harmonised; 
• The standards drawn up in the Member State in which the product is marketed; 
• Commission recommendations setting guidelines on product safety assessment; 
• Product safety codes of good practice in force in the sector concerned; 
• The state of the art and technology; 
• Reasonable consumer expectations concerning safety. 

Some of the Harmonised and voluntary standards that are applicable to different categories of furniture are:  

• EN 1129-1 Furniture - Foldaway beds - Safety requirements and testing - Part 1: Safety requirements 
• EN 1130-1 Furniture - Cribs and cradles for domestic use - Part 1: Safety requirements 
• EN 581-1 Outdoor furniture - Seating and tables for camping, domestic and contract use - Part 1: General safety requirements 
• EN 597-1: Mattresses and upholstered bed bases – Ignition source smouldering cigarette  
• EN 597-2: Mattresses and upholstered bed bases – Ignition source match flame equivalent 
• EN 1021-1: Upholstered furniture - Ignition source smouldering cigarette 
• EN 1021-2: Upholstered furniture - Ignition source match flame equivalent 
• EN 12520: Furniture strength, durability, and safety 

EU REACH

The REACH regulation (Regulation EC 1907/2006) applies to all consumer products sold in the EU, including furniture. 

Manufacturers and importers must ensure that the furniture does not contain any substances restricted in Annex XVII under the given limits.  

On top of restrictions, it is important to make sure no additional obligations are needed such as the related ones in case an article contains any of the SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) over the 0.1% threshold limit.  

On 2 May 2022, the World Trade Organization (WTO) published Draft European Commission Regulation Amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 regarding formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers. This restriction aims to decrease exposure to formaldehyde via inhalation in indoor air, including in the interior of road vehicles. 

European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR)

Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 is commonly known as the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). The EUTR prohibits the placing of illegally-harvested timber and timber products onto the EU market. It requires that importers, manufacturers and retailers exercise due diligence to ensure the legality of timber and timber products. 

Under the EUTR, a wide range of timber products to be placed on the EU market are covered, including wooden furniture. Importers need to exercise due diligence to ensure the legality of their wooden furniture and to minimise the risk of illegal harvesting.  

The EUTR details the products that are subject to its supervision based on the Combined Nomenclature (CN) used by customs officials to classify goods and products when entering the EU market. The following are applicable:  

• CN code 9403 30 – Wooden furniture of a kind used in offices
• CN code 9403 40 – Wooden furniture of a kind used in the kitchen
• CN code 9403 50 – Wooden furniture of a kind used in the bedroom
• CN code 9403 60 – Other wooden furniture

It’s also worth noting that recycled wooden furniture is exempted from the EUTR. 

Importers must be sure to obtain supply chain documentation including purchase records and certifications for EUTR compliance. They will also need to provide details including: 

• An overview of any subcontractors used in the harvesting of timber
• The location of said subcontractors
• Invoices and other supporting documents
• Risk assessment

CITES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. 

If supplying articles made with endangered timber species included in the CITES-Annexes, it is important to have a CITES permit.  With a CITES permit, you comply with the requirements of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). 

Additional legislations

Besides the mentioned legislation above, furniture products may need to comply with additional pieces of legislation, both at a European transversal level and on a national level.  

Some of the legislation may apply depending on the product features or claimed uses. Some examples of transversal and specific legislation are:  

• The Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants applicable as well to all articles and materials present in the final product.  
• The Directive 94/62/EC on Packaging and Packaging waste on all packaging materials being used with the products.  
• In the case of electrical and electronic features, there are several legislations to be in compliance with such as the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EC, the Directive 2014/30/EU on Electromagnetic Compatibility or the Directive 2012/19/EU on waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).  

On top of the above, at the national level, there are some EU members that have implemented national legislations regulating formaldehyde emissions from wood-based materials used in furniture, such as: 

• Denmark Statutory Order 289/1983 
• German Chemical Prohibition Ordinance (ChemVerbotsV) 
• Austria Formaldehyde Ordinance BGBI no. 194/190

How can Eurofins Softlines & Hardlines help?

Using a third-party testing lab is the most effective way to ensure that your furniture complies with EU furniture regulations. The Eurofins Toys & Hardlines network of companies can help put your mind at ease when importing or manufacturing furniture for the EU. 

Learn more about our Furniture and Décor Testing Services.