Sustainability in furniture making matters more than ever. At Eclectic Boogaloo, we believe the furniture industry always need to challenge itself to be better — and although we are small, we're committed to doing more than our bit. Over ten years ago I gravitated to the craft of upholstery, not just because I loved the craft, but also that it is fundamentally about reuse - often restoring chairs for generations. Since then, we have inched forward, pledging to champion sustainability through the craft; and although the bulk of chair is reused, reducing timber felling, landfill, and storing carbon due to reuse - reviving a piece does require some new textiles & possibly fillings.
We've collated various terms & certifications used in the industry below, that help drive the ways we curate the textiles that we offer to our clients & students. Read on to explore these sustainability factors - through the textile lifecycle below.
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Textiles are made from a variety of sources; plants such as flax (linen), cotton & hemp; animal based products such as wool & leather; & various synthetics such as polyester or semi-synthetics like viscose. Additionally there are many recycled products. Explore the various certifications that help provide transparency in these choices.
Verifies that cotton has been grown organically without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, in compliance with relevant organic farming standards. Focuses on agricultural practice at the fibre sourcing stage.
Tracks and verifies the presence and amount of organic material in a final product from farm to final product. Does not address processing inputs or social criteria (handled separately by other standards).
Tracks recycled raw materials through the supply chain and verifies claims about recycled content. Similar in intent to GRS but without the additional social/environmental processing requirements; suitable for business-to-business claims.
Addresses the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on, ensuring best practice in flock management, humane handling and land stewardship. Provides chain of custody from farm through processing
Ensures that down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to unnecessary harm, including live-plucking or force-feeding. Traces certified material from farm to final product.
The world's leading processing standard for organic fibres. Covers the entire post-harvest processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all textiles made from certified organic natural fibres. Includes ecological and social criteria, plus a restricted substances list. The GOTS label grade ‘made with organic’ requires a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres. The GOTS label grade ‘organic’ requires a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.
PEFC sustainable forest management certification enables forest owners to provide assurances that they manage their forests in line with challenging environmental, social and economic requirements – balancing people, planet and profit. Hundreds of thousands of forest owners around the world, from small, family and community forests to large company owned forests, have achieved PEFC certification, covering more than 300 million hectares of forest.
Flax thrives in the region of Western Europe. A moist and temperate climate and excellent soil quality provide for one of the best qualities of flax in the world. This region is situated between Caen and Amsterdam, Belgium being in the exact middle of it all. From the 1960's, the Belgian Linen™ label has been used to distinguish the origin of linen fabric from this region. Since then, it has remained recognizable as a quality trademark worldwide.
Only members of the Belgian Linen & Flax Association can apply for a Belgian Linen™ certificate. Members are obliged to disclose the origins of the fabric to the Association.
Belgian Linen fabric must be woven in a Belgium based mill and be composed of at least 85% (by weight) flax grown in the EU
A minimum of 50% recycled yarn is required to receive the Warwick Fabrics Encore endorsement. Encore diverts waste from landfill and oceans.
Warwick's recycled polyester yarn suppliers source their raw materials from both post-consumer recycled waste and post industry yarn waste. The recycled wool reuses wool from fashion garments and other woollen textiles. Recycled yarns lessen our dependence on petroleum and other non-renewables, as a source of raw materials, and reduces greenhouse gases.
Warwick Naturally is a line of fabrics designed to meet growing demands for sustainable, natural, and eco-friendly materials in interior design. Warwick Naturally fabrics contains a minimum of 70% natural fibres.
EthEco® wool is sourced from non-mulesed sheep cared for on holistic-managed farms
The approach to textile manufacturing matters profoundly important for the environment and the people involved in the manufacturing process. Certifications and standards are in place to ensure responsibility and transparency in the processing, dyeing, finishing and production facility operations.
A traceable product label for textiles and leather articles made in environmentally friendly facilities under safe and socially responsible working conditions. Combines STANDARD 100 testing with STeP facility certification and traceability via QR code.
Sustainable Textile & Leather Production (STeP) certifies manufacturing facilities for environmentally friendly production processes, resource efficiency, worker health/safety and social responsibility. Assessed across six modules including chemicals management and environmental performance.
A chain-of-custody standard that verifies and tracks specific content claims through the supply chain. Commonly used alongside other Textile Exchange standards to provide traceability where a full product-level standard is not applicable.
When products are manufactured in Australia, there are significant economic benefits for the country. Manufacturing provides jobs in Australia and boosts the economy through spending on materials and services. AMCL recognises that all manufacturing activity, regardless of company ownership, is beneficial to Australia.
The 'Australian made' claim is about the production process rather than content of a product. A product with an 'Australian made' label will not necessarily contain Australian ingredients or components.
A product can be described as 'Australian made' or 'made in Australia' if it underwent its last substantial transformation in Australia.
The Workplace Accountability in Industry and Trade (WAIT) Program is an ethical sourcing and audit framework used within the Australian commercial interior and textile industry to assess supplier compliance with labour standards and responsible sourcing practices.
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals—the European Union's primary chemicals regulation. Requires manufacturers and importers to understand and manage risks from chemicals. Products sold in the EU must comply with SVHC substance restrictions. The standard has been adopted internationally.
Textile safety during consumer use is important given we spend time around the products in our home, work, schools, public spaces and healthcare environments. Textiles undergo various manufacturing processes that may use harmful chemicals. There are various certifications to look for, backed by quality testing controls that reduce the risk of skin irritation, allergic reactions and long-term health hazards.
A global industry standard, providing an independent testing and certification system for textile products, ensuring they are free from harmful substances. It tests for chemicals like heavy metals, pesticides, and formaldehyde across all components (fabrics, threads, buttons). This standard is one of the most widely recognised global labels verifying that every component of the item has been tested for harmful substances.
Certifies products for low chemical emissions, with stricter limits than the standard GREENGUARD certification. Particularly relevant for schools and healthcare environments. Tests VOCs, aldehydes, particles and other pollutants.
Declare is a platform to share and find healthy building products. Manufacturers voluntarily disclose product information on easy-to-read Declare labels, which are accessible on a free database used by leading designers, real estate owners, and conscientious homeowners to specify products they know they can trust.
A product ingredient transparency label developed by the International Living Future Institute. Discloses all ingredients present above 100 ppm, highlighting any Red List chemicals. Supports fully informed specification and procurement decisions.
An open-standard format for disclosing product contents and associated health information. The HPD Standard enables manufacturers to document what is in their products and the potential health hazards of those contents, aiding specifiers in making informed choices.
End-of-life (EOL) programs for upholstery textiles enable the diversion of volumes of bulky furnishings from landfills, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and recovering valuable materials to fuel a circular economy. Organic fibres are able to decompose, improving their ability to return naturally to the environment, as opposed to synthetics which are typically petrochemical based. Some programs and standards to consider.
REVIVE applies circular economy principles to steward end-of-life products at their highest possible value through three pathways. RECIRCULATE - products with structural integrity are transferred to partners for new uses, minimising degradation and processing. REPURPOSE - those retaining high material value will be repurposed inhouse into circular products. RECYCLE - materials not suitable for recirculation or repurposing are recycled into lower value good by approved partners.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s to make products resistant to water, grease, and stains. These chemicals do not break down in the environment—earning the name "forever chemicals".
PFAS-Free certification verifies that a product contains no intentionally added PFAS and meets strict thresholds for trace contamination. In Australia, this standard ensures products align with national regulatory phase-outs.
Social and cultural certifications validate a business's commitment to positive social impacts, diversity, and community heritage. For businesses, they prove ethical operations to consumers. For individuals, they demonstrate competencies in inclusive workplace practices, cultural safety, and cross-cultural communication.
Verifies recycled content in a product and tracks it through the supply chain. Sets social, environmental and chemical requirements for production. Applies to any product containing at least 20% recycled material.
The world's largest corporate sustainability initiative. Signatories commit to aligning strategies and operations with ten principles covering human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
A formal declaration by a company of its commitments and policies regarding ethical sourcing, fair labour practices, human rights and community impact across its supply chain. Typically references alignment with international frameworks such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These statements are typically self-regulated, influenced through international guidelines, government laws are industry standards.
Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) connects ANZ consumers with farmers and workers in the Global South, working to alleviate poverty and improve livelihoods through ethical trade. Fairtrade promote, license, and advocate for the FAIRTRADE Mark, ensuring producers receive better prices, decent working conditions, and a Fairtrade Premium to invest in their communities.
The industry has various declarations that manufacturers can chose to prepare to enhance transparency & trust. These can cover individual scope, sectors, geographies, as well as full life-cycle commitments.
A science-based certification assessing products across five quality categories: material health, material reutilisation, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness. Encourages products to be designed as nutrients for biological or technical cycles. Certification levels: Basic, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum.
Verifies that an organisation or product has measured, reduced and offset its greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net-zero carbon. Various schemes exist (Climate Active in Australia, PAS 2060 internationally). Requires ongoing measurement and third-party verification.
Australia's Type I ecolabel (compliant with ISO 14024), certifying products that meet stringent environmental and social criteria across their lifecycle. GECA standards are developed for specific product categories including furniture, floor coverings, textiles and cleaning products.
The EU Ecolabel promotes goods and services with a guaranteed reduced environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle. It helps consumers, retailers, business and procurers to make truly sustainable choices. Products must demonstrate reduced impact on the environment.
The Eco Standard is awarded to textiles which are composed of conscious fibres and meet James Dunlops Group's key environmental certifications. This includes being composed of least 50% recycled or organic fibre content, meeting the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification and the ISO 14011 Environmental Management Certification.
Low Impact for the Environment (LIFE) is Instyle's collection of fabrics that meet certain criteria through the life-cycle of the textile. This includes being made with natural fibres of unparalleled quality, renewable, sourced from Australia and New Zealand. LIFE textiles also follow the Cradle to Cradle design, are produced to strict environmental criteria, are naturally fire retardant, have low VOC and improve indoor air quality, are biodegrable, recyclable and designed for longevity.
The internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems (EMS). Sets a framework for organisations to manage their environmental responsibilities. The 2015 version has been superseded by the forthcoming 2026 revision - reflecting advances in climate action, circular economy principles and supply chain due diligence. Maintains the Plan-Do-Check-Act framework while strengthening requirements around life cycle thinking and stakeholder expectations.
Provides general principles for environmental labels and declarations, ensuring they are accurate, verifiable and not misleading. It is a meta-standard underpinning ISO Type I, II and III ecolabelling schemes.
Sets principles and procedures for Type I environmental labelling programmes—multi-criteria, third-party certified ecolabels (such as national ecolabel schemes). Governs how ecolabel programmes should be developed and operated.
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