The Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP)
Industry commitments
Launched in 2006, the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) has quickly become established as the trade's premier forum on environmental and quality matters.
A membership organisation, FISP was formed following suggestions from the then Government Department of the DTI and DEFRA. With governmental furniture procurement amounting to £1.4 billion a year, furniture trade associations were asked why there was no industry body devoted to matters such as sustainability, environmental management and chain of custody, like similar organisations in other industries.
Therefore FISP was developed by a working party of several partners, which today numbers 10:
FIRA
The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers
British Contract Furnishing Association
Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association
Office, Furniture and Filing Manufacturers Association
British Furniture Manufacturers Association
Groundwork
The Association of Master Upholsterers
GMB – Britain's General Union
National Bed Federation
External pressures for sustainable procurement have increased in the last two years, with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), tender documents and retailers specifications now routinely insisting on Chain of Custody and the Environmental Management Systems ISO 14001 accreditation.
The economic, social and environmental benefits to the industry are relatively easy to understand and appreciate but the potential marketing benefits may not be so obvious. These are becoming more apparent as more clients and government bodies focus on this increasingly important business issue.
A detailed workbook has been developed to help companies meet the demands of becoming more sustainable and complying with the programme’s commitments, which form the core building blocks of the scheme.
Apart from two ‘core commitments’, companies can decide where their efforts may be best placed as long as they meet the some specified criteria. For many companies which have been proactive in regard to Environment and Health and Safety management, attaining the desired level to complete an audit successfully should not be too onerous.
FIRA offers audits at Full membership level and provides support and guidance where necessary. Those companies which choose to enter the scheme at Associate membership level are able to use FIRA's extensive experience to help them work towards Full membership. Associates have two years to work towards and attain Full membership.
For further details or for requests for brochures explaining the scheme, please contact:
Apart from two ‘core commitments’, companies can decide where their efforts may be best placed as long as they meet the some specified criteria. For many companies which have been proactive in regard to Environment and Health and Safety management, attaining the desired level to complete an audit successfully should not be too onerous.