Stop, look and read: why it’s important to seek out the GECA ecolabel when considering a commercial furniture manufacturer. Green, eco-conscious, planet-friendly: when it comes to making a choice that’s better for the environment, the planet and your people, there’s a lot of noise to cut through. Well-designed, consciously crafted furniture – made with materials and processes that are kind to the earth – is key to ensuring our future features less waste, more usefulness and greater impact. With pressure from governments, international bodies and highly engaged consumers, business as usual is no longer an option. Australian businesses must move beyond a benchmark of ‘least harm’ and toward one of adding ‘more good’.
In Australia, the GECA ecolabel gives consumers peace of mind that a product has undergone a transparent, independent, third-party assessment against science-based criteria relevant to its category, such as commercial furniture. The independent certification demonstrates to consumers that a product is a good environmental choice, following rigorous assessment across its entire lifecycle, from the extraction of raw materials to the end of life. Third-party certification empowers consumers to make better, more informed purchasing decisions.
“By maintaining its GECA certification since 2013, OLG has demonstrated a long-term commitment to lower environmental, health and social impacts,” says Kendall Benton-Collins, GECA’s strategic communications manager. “The company currently has 56 products certified under GECA’s Furniture, Fittings, Foam & Mattresses A Level standard.”
For many projects, environmental certification is non-negotiable. Sustainable certification is not just a case of meeting consumer demand and regulatory compliance but also a competitive advantage and ethical business priority.
“Certification and compliance [such as GECA certification] force the business to be very selective in the factories it works with, with considerations such as fair pay, safe working conditions, protection of human rights and proper environmental management,” says Kemble Judd, OLG Office’s Head of Corporate Services. “It ensures intentional design of product, including being fit for purpose, design for recyclability and the avoidance of commonly used – but environmentally risky – materials and processes.” For OLG Office, GECA certification is essential for a positive, sustainable future.
