Environmental Requirements

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 sustainably managed shall not originate from illegal harvesting, genetically modified organisms, or uncertified high conservation value communities

The suppliers of timber used by KFive are FSC, GECA or PEFC certified.

Salvaged & Reclaimed Timbers
Salvaged and reclaimed timbers must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label or satisfy the requirements of the GECA Standard No. 32 – Recycled and Reclaimed Timber.

The product range by KFive subject of this report contains no salvaged or reclaimed timber and is therefore exempt from this criterion.

Treatment
Wood and natural materials used in outdoor furniture products must not be treated or impregnated with fungicides and insecticides that are classified due to their hazardous nature by the IARC as Type 1 or 2a. Refer to: http:// monographs.iarc.fr/ ENG/Classification/ index.php 
Wood preservatives must not contain more than 5 % organic solvents by weight, unless the solvent polymerises or adsorbs to the wood and the product has zero solvent emissions. 
Creosote must not be used as a wood or fibre preservative. 
Certified products must not contain CCA treated logs.

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. Raw timber and natural materials is exempt from this criterion.

GECA has received formaldehyde testing from one of the Kfive suppliers and the results show that the air emissions are in compliance with the requirements of this criterion. With regards to their second supplier, a certification standards is displayed on the company’s website, and has provided evidence for compliance against this criteria.

Plastics -
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.

The plastic resin code is displayed throughout the product range on plastic components.

Synthetic latex and natural latex requirements 
Latex containing 1.3 butadiene shall be at levels ≤ 1mg/kg latex.  The total amount of discharges (measured as COD or TOC) from the production of foam rubber shall be treated and decreased by 90% in on- site or external sewage treatment works prior to emissions into waterways.

This criterion is not applicable to this assessment, as the product range does not contain any latex components.

Polyurethane padding requirements
Additives
1. CFC, HCFC, HFC or Methylene Chloride shall not be used as blowing agents.
2. Analine based amines, and pigments and catalysis based on mercury, lead, cadmium, and chromium must not be added to the padding material.
3. Where organic tin catalysts are used in the production of flexible polyurethane, the manufacturer must have in place a contract with a licensed or registered hazardous waste disposal company who is responsible for the correct disposal of the hazardous waste.

GECA received fitness for purpose information for polyurethane, and MSDS for the agents used in the manufacture of the urethane polymers. A document from the foam supplier states that the substances prohibited in this criterion, including tin organic catalysts, are not used in the manufacturing of the foam.

Fabrics 
Fabrics must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label, the EU Flower label or the Nordic Swan label or satisfy the requirements of the GECA Standard No – 19: Textiles.

This certification only certifies the white furniture and does not cover the fabric that will be subject to the choice of individual customers. Thus this criterion is not applicable to nominated product.

Glass
Lead glazing, crystal glass, mirror glass, wire reinforced glass and/or laminated glass must not be used in the furniture or fittings.

The Kfive products which do not contain a mirror meet the subject of this criterion.

Adhesives 
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 the GECA Standard No – 1: Adhesives.

Hazardous Materials
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)

Prohibited Substances
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.
Halogenated organic binding agents, halogenated organic 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. 

The coating of metal gas lifts is exempt from this criterion.

3.4.1 Separability 
The eco-labeled product shall be easily disassembled making possible the recovery and recycling of materials used. In order to facilitate recycling of the materials used in products, the following materials have to be easily separated: 
- Aluminium, if it composes ≥ 5% by weight of the eco-labelled product;
- Steel, if it composes ≥ 10% by weight of the eco-labelled product;
- Glass, if it composes ≥ 10% by weight of the eco-labelled product; 
- Plastic, if it composes ≥ 20% by weight of the eco-labelled product.

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. Exemption may be made for products with a long product life where a coating or treatment would further extend the useful life of the product.

3.4.4 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.

3.4.5 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. 

3.4.6 Recycled Content Requirements 
Ceiling tiles must contain a minimum of 50% by weight recycled content.

3.4.7 Packaging Requirements
Chlorinated or halogenated plastics must not be used in product packaging.
Used packaging shall be able to be recycled by local recycling systems.

3.4.8 Product Information
The manufacturer must provide written information to the consumer clearly stating:
• The intended use of the product.
• Instructions for correct use and storage so as to maximise the product lifetime.
• Maintenance instructions, if required. Maintenance instructions must not specify the use of any chemical or coating limited by any part of this standard.
• Recycling instructions for the product end-of-life.