Environmental Requirements

3.2.1 Timber and Other Natural Materials
3.2.1.1 Controversial Sources
Wood and other natural materials from sources that are not certified under a recognised certification scheme (e.g. FSC or AFS) as being sustainable managed shall not originate from Illegal harvesting, Genetically modified organisms, or Uncertified high conservation value communities

All Décor products are timber based using a range of Plywoods, MDF and a variety of veneers. Décor Systems has committed to only using GECA certified veneers and timber board suppliers.

3.2.1.2 Treatment
Wood and natural materials used in furniture and fittings products may not be treated with fungicides and insecticides that are classified due to their hazardous nature by the ICAC as type 1a and Type 1b for storage and/or transportation. Refer http://www.who.int/ whopes/ recommendations/en/

The timber sources have already been verified by GECA as compliant to the requirements of this criteria. There is no treatment applied by Décor Systems for finishing purposes of relevance to this criterion.

3.2.1.3 Air Emissions
Products made from wood and other natural products that contain formaldehyde based additives, shall be subject to air emission limits for formaldehyde as measured using the Air Chamber, Desiccator or Perforator test methods

The timber sources have already been verified by GECA as compliant to the requirements of this criteria.

3.2.2.1 Resin Identification Codes
To be licensed to carry the Label, appropriate plastics resin identification code promulgated by the Plastics and Chemical Industry Association must be marked on each individual recycled plastic products or components weighing greater than 100g.

There are no plastic components in the products under assessment, with exception to the DecorSorb fabric which is exempt from this criterion.

3.2.4 Fabrics
All fabric comprising more than 10% of the total weight of the product must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label, the EU Flower label or the Nordic Swan label or satisfy the requirements of GECA Standard No. 19: Textiles.

The fabric used by Décor Systems (DecorSorb) is compliant with these requirements.

3.2.6 Adhesives 
With the exception of Section 3.2.1.3, adhesives must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label, the EU Flower label, the New Zealand Environmental Choice Label or the Nordic Swan label or satisfy the requirements of GECA Standard No. 1: Adhesives.

Décor Systems use a water-based adhesive. MSDS for the glue have been reviewed by GECA and have been deemed compliant.

3.3 Hazardous Materials
3.3.1 Overall Loads
In order to promote the reduction of pollutant hazards in the disposal, landfill and/or incineration of end of life furniture, the following substances shall not be added to eco-labeled furniture during the production process:
Arsenic 
Cadmium 
Chromium 
Copper 
Lead 
Mercury 
Fluorine 
Chlorine 
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) 
Tar oils (benzo(a)pyrene)

Paints/lacquers are obtained from their supplier, and then applied by a second company. GECA are satisfied with the operation and supplier for paints/lacquers and that this criterion is met by Décor Systems.

3.3.2 Formaldehyde Emissions
Furniture that contains formaldehyde based additives or products containing formaldehyde additives, shall be subject to air emission limits for formaldehyde.

Décor Systems occasionally use an Adhesive for the purpose of gluing timber in their products. MSDS have been supplied to GECA, and provides suitable evidence that this water-based glue is compliant with the requirements of this criterion.

3.3.3 Chemical Additives
Furniture or fittings shall not contain carcinogenic substances in categories 1, 2A as classed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer – http://www.iarc.fr. At levels which expose the user to emissions greater than 1/20th of the NICNAS recommended limits.

GECA have reviewed MSDS and ingredients sheets for all production ingredients and are satisfied that they meet the requirements of this criterion.

3.3.4 Prohibited Substances 
Halogenated organic binding agents, polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) flame retardants, analine based amines, phalates, aziridine or polyaziridines as well as pigments and additives that contain lead, tin, cadmium VI, mercury or their compounds shall not: 
a) be added to individual furniture or fittings parts, 
b) used in the manufacture of timber furniture and fittings, or 
c) used in the manufacture of preparatory agents or agents for the degreasing or surface treatments of furniture and fittings or their components.

3.4.1 Separability
The eco-labeled product shall be easily disassembled making possible the recovery and recycling of materials used.

3.4.2 Product Custodianship 
The applicant shall accept their product without additional cost (not including transportation costs) for further recycling, or have arrangements with an Australian plastics or steel recycler to accept the product, or have an established product stewardship program.

3.4.3 Coatings/Treatments
Furniture and fittings products (or components) must not be impregnated, labelled, coated or otherwise treated in a manner which would prevent post consumer recycling.

3.5 Replacement Parts
For those parts of a product which are subject to wear, e.g. hinges, locks, table leaves, functionally compatible replacements shall be guaranteed for a period of at least five years. 

3.6 Recycled furniture
Recycled furniture can be licensed in conformation to this standard providing that the furniture has not been refinished or coated with any materials except for the purpose of cleaning.