The issue of sustainability has accelerated dramatically in recent times and has involved more and more companies and people to find an answer to the major problems of this new century such as climate change impacts, the advance of deforestation and, most recently, the onset of pandemics.
What positive contribution can the wood-furniture sector, one of the most representative of Made in Italy, offer to promote green consumer behaviour? What attention do companies in the furniture sector pay to sustainability?
To answer these questions, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Italy, an international NGO set up to promote the responsible management of forests and plantations and related supply chains, wanted to participate in Fuorisalone 2020 with a path called “FSC is Forests for all, forever“, a container of reflections, initiatives and meetings. The event brought together the experiences of recognised and appreciated brands such as Arper, Calligaris, Kartell, Manerba, Moroso, Paolo Castelli and Roda, involving them in an interesting debate on our future, the environment and Made in Italy furniture.

The green turning point of the wood-furniture sector

Sustainability has long been part of the entrepreneurial strategies of the wood-furniture sector: this is demonstrated by the fact that in Italy over 500 companies in the furniture sector have chosen FSC certification as a tool to guarantee the sustainable origin of wood, to ensure virtuous and transparent supply chains, but also to communicate positive impacts on forests and people.  
For over 25 years, FSC has been working to defend the world's forests through environmentally friendly, socially useful and economically sustainable management; the FSC mark identifies products containing wood from forests managed in a correct and responsible manner according to strict environmental, social and economic standards. In 2001 FSC Italia was founded as a non-profit association, in harmony with the objectives of FSC International, to stimulate the spread of FSC certification in our country and in almost 20 years of existence already boasts numerous goals.

FSC Italia Furniture Award

During the Fuorisalone 2020 the second edition of the FSC Italia Furniture Award was also presented, a competition that recognizes the commitment of companies in the wood-furniture sector to produce products using FSC wood in indoor, outdoor and garden furniture.
Nine prizes to be awarded (Living and Accommodation, Sleeping Area, Bathroom Furniture, Kitchen, Office, Shops and Premises, Collectivity, Furniture for private homes, Public areas such as squares, parks and gardens and Hotels/public premises), plus 5 special mentions (CSR, Communication, FSC Labelling, Chain of Custody Furniture Chain and Small Companies).
The aim of the competition is to focus the attention of industrial and artisan production on the origin of the wood raw material, stimulating architects, designers and industries to design and produce FSC certified wooden furniture.
Participation is free of charge and is open to FSC-certified companies based in Italy or in the Republic of San Marino falling within product categories W12 (interior furnishings), W13.1 (garden furniture) or W13.7 (other outdoor furniture and garden products). Companies that produce semi-finished products are also admitted; it is also open to companies that have made at least one FSC certified production in wood in the field of indoor furniture and/or outdoor and garden furniture in the last three years and to companies that have sold at least one product as FSC certified.
Registration for the competition is to be done online, filling in the form and uploading the required materials no later than November 6, 2020.