Nearly two decades ago, leading furniture manufacturers founded the Sustainable Furnishings Council with a simple but powerful vision: to transform the home furnishings industry through sustainability.
Today, on behalf of our Board of Directors and SFC voting members, I am proud to share that our mission is stepping onto the global stage.
By joining forces with Cascale — the global alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry — we are unlocking new opportunities for the furniture industry to lead in climate action and social responsibility.
This is not the end of SFC’s story — it is a powerful next chapter that evokes exciting new opportunities within the consumer goods industry.
SFC’s services will be delivered by Cascale, while SFC continues as a membership organization for a transitional period. This means SFC members benefit from the same trusted brand, but with expanded support from Cascale.
Our tools, programs, people and community are now part of a larger ecosystem where the impact will be broader, deeper, and global.
Our Journey: From Grassroots to Industry Leaders
Since our beginnings in 2006, SFC has been the voice for sustainability in the home furnishings industry. What started as a grassroots effort by concerned furnishings stakeholders at High Point Market (one of the largest home furnishings markets in the world) has grown into a respected industry-wide coalition.
Together, we’ve:
- Championed responsible wood sourcing, spotlighting third-party certifications such Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, to fight against illegal logging which decimates our climate and contributes to biodiversity loss.
- Through education, we helped members eliminate chemicals of concern in their materials, incorporate fair labor practices across the value chain, and develop circular business models.
- Created signature tools like the Wood Furniture Scorecard with partner National Wildlife Federation (NWF) along with our exclusive member Eco-Insight Assessment Tool, both of which empower companies to be transparent, measure, improve, and share their progress.
- Called attention to the staggering waste problem, with millions of tons of furniture (often called “fast furniture”) discarded each year.
Looking back, it is remarkable how far we’ve come — and humbling to see how our members’ leadership has transformed consumer awareness and industry standards.
Why Cascale? Why Now?
Cascale is uniquely positioned to take our mission to the next level. Formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale rebranded in 2024 to reflect its expansion into consumer goods industries beyond fashion — including furnishings. With over 300 global members representing brands, manufacturers, retailers, and NGOs, Cascale is a proven force for systemic change, catalyzing collective action at scale.
Through tools like the Higg Index, and the Better Buying supplier surveys of buyer purchasing practices, which it acquired earlier this year, Cascale has helped companies worldwide measure their environmental and social impact. Now, by bringing SFC’s assets and expertise into the alliance, the home furnishings industry will gain access to these robust global frameworks — while Cascale gains the insights, relationships, and tools SFC has built over nearly two decades.
To emphasize, this marks a strategic fit for all organizations and comes at a prime moment, especially witnessing the momentum first-hand atCascale’s flagship Annual Meeting, where members get together to solve systemic challenges. While our industry’s sustainability challenges are complex, together we can accelerate solutions at scale.
What This Means for Our Industry and Our Members
- For SFC members: The SFC services will be delivered by Cascale, while SFC continues as a membership organization for a transitional period. This means SFC members benefit from the same trusted brand but with expanded support from Cascale.
- For Cascale members: Over time, as the integration process progresses, SFC’s key assets will be accessible to Cascale members.
- For the industry: While Cascale is acquiring the SFC brand, SFC will continue to use its logo and branding to ensure ongoing recognition amid transition.
- For consumers: The work we’ve done at SFC to educate and inspire more conscious purchasing will now resonate even more powerfully, as global brands and retailers align around shared standards under Cascale’s mission.
Looking Forward: A Call to Action
I invite every one of you — members, partners, and friends of SFC — to stay ambitious and engaged with us in shaping this next chapter. Together, we are scaling our vision and impact in ways that will define the future of our industry.
As I reflect on 19 years of SFC’s journey, I am grateful for the passion and persistence of our founders, members, partners, and supporters. Together, we’ve proven that sustainability is not a trend — it’s the future of furnishings.
