Furniture and Furnishings: Designing for a Decade of Use
The furniture sector—including mattresses—is a priority for the 2028 ESPR delegated acts. With an annual market value of €140 billion, the sector’s high resource intensity makes it a prime target for durability and chemical safety mandates. The EU aims to end the "disposable furniture" era by requiring products to be repairable and easy to reupholster.
Designing for Asset Longevity
Material Origin Tracking: For wood-based furniture, the DPP will require proof of sustainable sourcing.
Chemical Transparency: Disclosure of flame retardants and finishes that prevent wood from being safely composted or recycled.
End-of-Life Guidance: Manufacturers must provide digital instructions on how to disassemble a piece of furniture for material recovery.
Furniture Compliance: Before vs. After ESPR
Aspect
Traditional Furniture
Circular Furniture (2028+)
Design Priority
Lowest initial price; speed of assembly.
Durability, reliability, and ease of non-destructive disassembly.
Material Traceability
Limited to FSC/PEFC certifications for wood.
Full digital record of wood, fabrics, and finishes via QR code.
Revenue Model
One-time sale of new assets.
Asset maintenance, parts supply, and resale/buy-back programs.
Strategic Advice: How to Prepare
Audit Chemical Finishes: Identify and phase out coatings that contain substances of concern (REACH) today. These will be restricted first under the 2028 acts.
Switch to Mechanical Fasteners: Replace glues and permanent adhesives with screws or modular clips to simplify repair and recycling.
Implement a PIM Strategy: Adopt a Product Information Management (PIM) system that can handle "component-level" data, as the Furniture DPP will require more than just a flat SKU description.
To review your furniture compliance roadmap, email info@dpp-link.com