Australian Furniture Association Joins with Global GreenTag to Drive Higher Levels of Sustainability in the Furnishings Sector

Helping to build greater accountability in the furniture and furnishings industry ...

Global GreenTag International has joined forces in a collaborative partnership with the Australian Furniture Association (AFA), the only recognised peak industry body for the furniture industry in Australia. Joint initiatives planned for the Partnership aim to increase sustainability benchmarks of furnishing manufacturing practices, product design and output. This flows from AFA research conducted over the past three years, which has identified furniture and furnishings in the top ten high risk waste and sustainability categories.

Further details of the Partnership will be announced this week in Melbourne at AFA's Grow. Promote. Protect. Forum 2024 where Dr Bortsie-Aryee, Global GreenTag's Program Director will also be attending as a speaker on one of the industry panels.

The AFA delivers industry relevant, professional services to the furnishings and design supply chain with focus on standards, testing, certification, education, sustainable business development and advocacy – and a level of leadership that has already proved to be a driving force in the industry sector on a global scale.

Global GreenTag International assesses, verifies, and certifies sustainable product claims and attributes at depth across all aspects of impacts on the environment, human health, ethical labour supply and circular economy and will bring a deeper understanding of the value of product certification pathways for the furnishing industries, supporting AFA and its member and partner networks. Plans include the development of focused, educational opportunities for the sector to drive up sustainability levels and designing and implementing joint campaigns to build greater awareness of exemplar furnishing manufacturing practices and products emerging in the market.

Commenting on the new partnership with Global GreenTag, Patrizia Torelli, CEO of AFA said:

"The AFA's Partnership with Global GreenTag International signals the ongoing work of Australian Furniture industry leaders and the desire to be responsible corporate citizens in the quest for a greater circular economy and sustainability practices.

We're determined to work with the best in the business, and look to our internationally recognised bona-fide partners to ensure that the Australian Furniture and Furnishing industry is a standout in a global marketplace. You only need to look at the credentials to know that Global GreenTag is one of the best in the business and AFA Members benefit greatly from this partnership along with the millions of Australian consumers across the nation who can rest assured that AFA and Global GreenTag verified products meet community expectations."

David Baggs, CEO, Technical Director and Cofounder of Global GreenTag International said:

"The AFA is one of the most inspiring, industry support bodies in Australia and Global GreenTag is excited to implement a blueprint for action that we have jointly planned that brings our individual specialisations and shared goals together to help take the Australian furnishings and design industry to a next level.

We aim to build greater accountability amongst furniture manufacturers and assist them to understand and implement certification pathways that help to produce more responsible products that also meet standards set for building and interiors rating tools, which focus on sustainability in Australia and globally."

Global GreenTag and the AFA will be kicking off the new partnership at AFA's Grow. Promote. Protect. Forum 2024 in Melbourne on Friday, July 19. The event will be presenting findings and recommendations from Commonwealth and State-funded research projects and explore the strategic priorities for the implementation of these recommendations based on the furniture industry's needs for the next 3-5 years.

REGISTRATION HERE FOR GROW. PROMOTE. PROTECT FORUM in person or via webinar streaming

For further information about the Australian Furniture Association, or to interview Patrizia Torelli, please contact Rachael Forrester via

For further information about Global GreenTag International, or to interview David Baggs, or Dr Nana Bortsie-Aryee, please contact, Debra Robertson via