What is the difference between our FSC® and non-FSC® furniture?

In Europe, all commercialized wood, whether certified by FSC or not, is subject to strict regulation. The European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) requires each importer or producer to ensure the traceability and legality of the wood's origin. Thus, wood not certified by FSC is not necessarily illegal or untraced, as long as it complies with the requirements of this regulation.

1. FSC Furniture

• Certification: Label from the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent international organization.

• Objective: Ensure that the wood comes from forests managed according to specific environmental, social, and economic criteria, audited by a third party.

• Main Advantage: Immediate international recognition; useful for reassuring consumers sensitive to ecological issues or for accessing certain public/private markets that require certification.

2. Non-FSC Furniture

• Origin: May come from sustainably managed forests or not, but in Europe, must comply with the legal requirements for traceability and responsible management defined by the EUTR.

• Example: In France, the majority of wood sold by the ONF (National Forest Office) does not carry the FSC label, while still coming from public forests managed sustainably according to strict management plans.

• Main Advantage: Can offer the same quality and durability as FSC, but without the additional cost associated with certification.

In summary:

• FSC: Guarantee of compliance with a specific international standard, with a globally recognized logo.

• Non-FSC (in Europe): Legally traced wood, subject to strict management and documentation requirements, which can be just as sustainable but without a specific label.