Ecobalyse Update: Advancing Environmental Labelling for Furniture

Since 12 January 2026, the public Ecobalyse tool has featured an enhanced version of its furniture modelling module. This update marks another step towards implementing environmental labelling in the furniture sector, scheduled for rollout from 2027.

Beyond the new feature, the update signals steady progress, confirming the timeline and increasing the tool’s operational relevance for industry stakeholders.

Practical Furniture Modelling

At EVEA, we have followed the French environmental labelling initiative from its inception and contributed to sector-specific methodological discussions. This update enables practical testing of environmental cost calculations for the first time for furniture products.

The new functionality enables users to model a piece of furniture in Ecobalyse using two approaches:

• Using a predefined product template; for example, a four-legged table already broken down into standard components (top, steel legs, etc.)
• Building from scratch; users can construct a product by selecting component types (solid wood panel, metal frame, etc.).

Users can configure each component by specifying material mass, origin, waste rate, and manufacturing and finishing processes. More precise input data yields more accurate environmental impact calculations.

Models can be saved locally for testing, comparison, and iterative refinement.

Incorporating the Durability Coefficient

Another significant development is the integration of a durability factor into the environmental cost calculation.

This mechanism accounts for product lifespan by distributing impacts over a reference period. A more durable piece of furniture may therefore have a lower long-term environmental impact, even if its manufacturing impact is higher.

This approach rewards design choices that extend product life, providing clear guidance for the industry.

Implications for Furniture Manufacturers

Furniture manufacturers often ask how environmental assessment results can support eco-design decisions. This Ecobalyse update allows manufacturers to test these trade-offs.

In the near term, stakeholders will be able to:

• Understand the methodology behind environmental impact calculations
• Apply the tool to their actual products
• Identify sources of environmental impact (materials, mass, origin, processes) to guide eco-design decisions

This represents an initial familiarisation phase, building competence before the official rollout.

An Educational Tool

Ecobalyse is not currently intended for regulatory reporting. Its primary purpose is educational and exploratory, enabling users to:

• Visualise the distribution of environmental impacts across a piece of furniture
• Compare design variants
• Anticipate the structure of French environmental labelling, expected for furniture from 2027

A three-minute presentation video from the Ecobalyse team outlines modelling principles and best practices.

Status of the Furniture Environmental Labelling Initiative

The environmental labelling system for furniture is still under development. Tools, methods, and data continue to evolve through collaborative development framework with industry.

An official pilot phase is expected before formal regulatory integration, anticipated in early 2027 at the earliest.

Ultimately, the environmental cost calculation methodology may be incorporated into more comprehensive assessment tools, including LCA software and sectoral platforms.

Progress and Outlook

The Ecobalyse update now allows more precise furniture modelling and integrates the durability coefficient into environmental cost calculations.It represents another step toward implementing environmental labelling in the furniture sector.

The system will continue to evolve as methods and data stabilise.

Once validated, the French environmental cost calculation can be incorporated into broader assessment tools, including LCA platforms. Several technical solutions are being developed to enable manufacturers to perform these calculations independently.

For example, some platforms are already being adapted to include this functionality. EVEA is integrating it into its ASKOR platform to enable manufacturers to generate environmental impact data in line with the forthcoming regulatory framework.

For guidance on integrating environmental and social performance into furniture and interior projects, visit: Integrating Environmental and Social Performance into Interior Design Projects.

Aude Céllerier, project manager for LCA and eco-design, furniture and interior design at EVEA