Furniture industry representatives have been informed about the government’s new procurement scheme for purchasing furniture.
Defra officials explained the Quick Wins programme, which will be mandatory for all central government furniture purchases and is designed to improve the government’s green/sustainable sourcing performance.
Defra said Quick Wins will follow the European Green Public Procurement guidelines, with additional requirements for the UK, including all fibreboard materials to be E1 rated for formaldehyde.
Other additions include a requirement for all timber products to come from legal and sustainable sources and all orders to feature at least 5% reused or remanufactured product.
Companies attending the briefing voiced strong concern that infrastructure was not ready for a requirement for reuse/remanufacture on large tenders.
Quick Wins is currently in public consultation and is expected to receive ministerial approval next March.
