BFM Environment Ltd

The EHS branch of the trade association for British Furniture Manufacturers

Welcome to the web site of BFM Environment Ltd which provides information on environmental management and health & safety for the UK furniture manufacturing sector.

Go straight to:

• BFM End of Life furniture project

• BFM / SEFTA Resource efficiency club

• City and Guilds accredited training courses for EHS

BFM Ltd is just completing a two year study regarding the scope for the attainment of zero emissions production in the furniture manufacturing sector. A wide range of organisations have participated and a dissemination seminar was run at the Design Council building on 9th December 2008:

• Copies of the presentations
• Documents and reports originating from the project
• Final project report

There have been a wide range of interesting outcomes which have greatly contributed to the level of knowledge regarding the methods through which environmental progress can be made by the office, contract and kitchen furniture supply chain. Led by BFM Ltd, the project has involved a range of partners. Key outcomes have been:

• Redesign of furniture from 5 categories of product such as tub chair, office desk and office chair. The environmental impact of the original product was analysed and researchers then worked with the company to identify and implement measures to reduce the environmental impact. The resulting “green” furniture, has included a number of items which generate significant manufacturing and marketing benefits.

• Remanufacturing: further new products have been designed, prototyped and are now being sold by Green-Works. This organisation has traditionally been involved in office furniture reuse. However, as part of this project, Green-Works set up a remanufacturing centre to disassemble end-of-life office desks and make a range of new furniture items

• Identification of the potential for product service systems to enhance business profitability and sustainability – through looking at alternative business models such as leasing and renting. This allows the manufacturer to retain ownership of the product – thereby deriving maximum benefit from cleaner designs and the potential end-of-life value of materials

Other organisations which are participating in the project:

Dr Alistair Bromhead, working as health, safety and environmental consultant to BFM Ltd, has developed a range of health, safety and environmental qualifications for the furniture sector with City and Guilds accreditation. These include:

• City & Guilds Certificate: Manual Handling Train the Trainer
• City & Guilds Certificate in Environmental Management
• City & Guilds Certificate in Health and Safety

BFM has been running the UK’s first resource efficiency clubs specifically aimed at furniture and woodworking businesses thanks to sponsorship from Envirowise. Working with SEFTA (South East Furniture Training Association) the initiative initially focussed on a group of ten companies based in the South East during 2006. A further set of 8 companies were recruited in 2007 and the process was replicated in Nottingham.

Total savings achieved to date are £533,945 with a further £1.6 mil of items identified but not yet actioned.

Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme

Sustainable development issues are becoming increasingly important to Governments, retailers and consumers with all three pushing for products to be manufactured in a sustainable manner. The UK Government is actively encouraging sectors to develop this ethos in the form of sustainability programmes. The Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme is the sector’s response to the challenge following several years worth of work by the Furniture Industry Environment Committee – of which BFM Ltd is a key member. 

FISP revolves around a number of environmental, social and economic commitments. Companies can become certified to FISP when they can demonstrate to a third party auditor that they meet the standards required by these commitments. Morgan Contract Furniture Ltd became the first member to be certified by BFM Ltd in 2007.

Site developed and managed by Dr Alistair Bromhead