Environmental labelling for furniture: understand, calculate and prepare for 2027

From autumn 2025, French consumers will see the environmental cost displayed on textile products. A similar system is being developed for furniture. But what exactly is environmental labelling in the furniture sector? Who will be affected? And most importantly, how can businesses start preparing today?

Environmental labelling for furniture: definition and objectives

Environmental labelling informs consumers about the impact of a product. Introduced by the French AGEC law (Anti-waste law for a circular economy, 2020) and the Climate and Resilience law (2021), it is expected to become mandatory for the furniture sector in 2027.

Its main objectives are to:

• provide consumers with clear information for informed choices;
• encourage furniture manufacturers to adopt eco-design principles;
• reduce the overall environmental impact of the sector.

Every piece of furniture sold in France will be assigned an environmental cost, displayed both in shops and online. This cost will allow consumers to compare products and guide purchasing decisions.

Which furniture will fall under the new regulation?

The regulation, which currently concerns the French market only, will apply to:

• organisations placing products on the market (manufacturers, distributors, importers);
• domestic furniture, i.e. items intended for private households;
• the main categories of furniture defined by the FCBA (French technological institute for wood and furniture) and ADEME (French Agency for Ecological Transition): household furniture, kitchens, bathrooms, bedding, upholstered furniture, garden furniture.

At this stage, the scope is limited to B2C products. However, professionals in the contract and interior design sectors will be able to use the methodology on a voluntary basis.

Assessment method: how is the environmental cost of furniture calculated?

The methodology is coordinated by Ecobalyse (1), in collaboration with the FCBA, Valdelia, Ecomaison, industry representatives, and environmental assessment experts. The aim is to co-develop a method adapted to the specificities of the furniture sector. Workshops and a dedicated online platform allow stakeholders to participate openly.

EVEA is actively involved in this process, working alongside manufacturers, experts and other stakeholders.

Environmental cost: criteria applied to furniture

As with the textile sector, the environmental cost for furniture is based on life cycle assessment (LCA), using the European Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) framework. The work also draws on the reference guidelines published by ADEME and the FCBA (for household furniture, upholstered seating, etc.), as well as on more advanced projects for textiles and food.

Specific modules are being developed for the furniture sector:

• Forestry practices: assessment of the impact of wood sourcing and forest management on biodiversity. Furniture certified with labels such as FSC or PEFC will achieve a lower environmental cost. Learn more about EVEA’s support on biodiversity.

• Product durability: each piece of furniture will be assigned a durability coefficient reflecting both physical durability (strength, dismantlability, repairability) and non-physical aspects (short lifespan of “fast furniture”, warranty duration, etc.). Ecobalyse launched a call for contributions on 19 August 2025 to help design this module.

Simplified or detailed calculation: two levels of assessment

Two calculation levels are being developed:

Level 1: quick eco-score
Based on simplified data (total weight, composition, place of assembly). This method is quick and accessible, relying on default scenarios. A dedicated furniture interface will be available in [Ecobalyse] by late 2025.

Prototype of the Ecobalyse Furniture interface shared on 23 June 2025

Level 2: detailed assessment
Based on specific data provided by manufacturers. Companies will be able to use specialised software such as ASKOR (developed by EVEA), which already integrates the PEF methodology and environmental labelling requirements.

Preparing for 2027: how to anticipate environmental labelling

EVEA supports furniture manufacturers and designers with environmental assessment and eco-design. With our expertise, you can:

• understand upcoming French and European regulatory requirements (CSRD, EUDR, ESPR, etc.);
• learn and train in environmental assessment: key stages of LCA, data collection, and more;
• assess the environmental challenges of your products and optimise their design to reduce their environmental cost;
• gain autonomy in carrying out environmental assessments thanks to ASKOR, an integrated platform for simplified LCA and eco-social design, which will incorporate the official labelling methodology once it is published;
• establish clear and responsible communication strategies today.

Glossary

(1) Ecobalyse: a platform created by ADEME (French Agency for Ecological Transition) to support the implementation of environmental labelling.

(2) PEF (Product Environmental Footprint): the harmonised European method for measuring the environmental footprint of products and organisations.

Useful resources

• Official ADEME page on environmental labelling
• About Ecobalyse
• Join the consultations
• Support material from Furniture Webinar #1 – December 10? 2024 (Environmental Labelling)

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