Best practices to prevent chemical risks in your furniture supply chain

While designing and manufacturing furniture, brands and manufacturers must focus not only on the physical parameters but also on the chemicals used during production.

To protect the health and safety of consumers as well as build trust and instil confidence in your brand, it is crucial to adopt best practices to prevent chemical risks throughout the supply chain to ensure that your furniture products comply with applicable regulations.

In this article, we will explore some of the best practices to prevent chemical risks in your furniture supply chain.

Common hazardous chemicals exist in furniture

To make furniture more durable and fulfil the needs of daily use, chemicals are added to it during the manufacturing process. However, some hazardous chemicals that are commonly found in furniture, posing risks to the consumer. Here are some examples:

• Lead: lead is often used in surface coatings to provide durability and colour stability, but it can pose significant health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.
• Flame retardants: Flame retardants are commonly found in upholstery furniture to meet fire safety regulations, but some types have been associated with adverse health effects and environmental concerns.
• Chromium (VI): Chromium is a common chemical to apply in furniture to make it resistant to rusting and increase strength, but it is a well-known carcinogen and can cause allergic reactions.
• Azo dyes: It is commonly used for fabric colouring and can release carcinogenic amines under certain conditions.
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): They are often found in composited furniture, for example, formaldehyde can be present in fabrics and may emitted from new furniture, affecting indoor air quality.

Brands and manufacturers need to be aware of these hazardous chemicals and take necessary precautions to minimise their risks.

Best practices to prevent chemical risks in your furniture supply chain

• Supply chain management
  Effective supply chain management is the foundation for preventing chemical risks in your furniture products. Here are some best practices:
  • Supplier qualification: Implement a robust supplier qualification process that includes assessing suppliers' compliance with chemical regulations and their commitment to product safety.
  • Supply chain transparency: Establish clear communication channels with your suppliers to obtain accurate information about the chemicals used in the production process. Ensure transparency through regular audits and verification.
  • Material selection: Choose materials that are known to be safe and avoid using chemicals that are hazardous or regulated. Work closely with suppliers to source low-toxicity materials.
    
    
• Chemical testing and compliance
  Implementing stringent testing and certification standards also safeguards the supply chain from chemical risks. Some important measures include:
  • Third-party laboratory testing: Conduct third-party testing of your products to ensure compliance with chemical safety standards before placing them into the market.
  • Compliance with regulations: Compliance with regulations is essential for mitigating chemical risks. Here are examples of regulation requirements applicable to the furniture industry:
    • REACH Regulation
    • California Proposition 65
    • Regulation (EC) 850/2004 Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
    • Chemical of High Concerns to Children (CHCC)
      
      
• Employee training and awareness
  While all the robust policies are in place, it is important that employees are aware of them. Brands and manufacturers can empower employees to identify and mitigate chemical risks by these methods:
  • Training: Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees about the safe handling and use of chemicals, including proper protective measures, handling procedures, and emergency protocols.
  • Awareness programmes: Raise awareness among employees about the potential health hazards associated with certain chemicals and provide them with the knowledge to handle and report any incidents promptly.

How the Eurofins Toys & Hardlines network of laboratories can help

Preventing chemical risks in your furniture supply chain is not only a responsible practice but also a way to ensure the health and safety of your customers.

Eurofins Toys & Hardlines network of laboratories offer a full suite of solutions to prevent chemical risks in your furniture supply chain, from supply chain mapping, chemical testing and PFAS testing, to inspection, factory audit and tailored training, helping you mitigate chemical risks in your furniture supply chain.

For more details, please click here to learn more about our Furniture & Décor Testing Services.