Pannello Ecologico

Ecological wood Panel

Web site:

www.pannelloecologico.com

Relevance:

National voluntary label (of international relevance); the Ecological Panel’s trademark is available in 10 languages and it can be used only by the supporter companies, i.e. all panel producers and their clients (furniture, cladding, fireproofing, walls, interior decoration of public premises producers)

Target:

• environmental target: 100% recycled wood and positive LCA
• product group: wooden panels for furniture production

Product/service group:

Wooden panels for furniture production, 100% made with recycled wood, through an ecologically sound production processes and with a positive LCA.

Awarding Institution & criteria:

The label is awarded by the Consorzio Pannello Ecologico (Ecological Panel Consortium) on the initiative of a group of companies. The logo identifies recycled wood panel used in the manufacture of furniture, made through an ecologically sound production processes and with a positive LCA.

The companies have developed this specialisation over the years starting from the collection of wood through to the realisation of an innovative system for transforming scraps into raw materials. The various stages involved in this process include: selecting the incoming materials, cleaning, mixing the chips with eco-friendly resins and the melamine facing process.

The relevant certification is issued by the an external institute, the CERTIQUALITY – Istituto di Certificazione della Qualità (Institute for Quality Certification). The certificate is given from panel producers to furniture producers.

The Ecological Wood Panel is certified by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) www.fsc-italia.it , stating the exclusive use of post-consumer wood, and E1 Catas Quality Award www.catas.com that certifies its compliance with European regulations regarding emissions of formaldehyde, both for the raw product for the product that ennobled(covered with decorative papers).

Control mechanisms:

A ISO 9000 certification system is in place, plus the guarantee (certification) that the panel is made 100% by recycled wood

Charges:

Not available

Relevance on the market:

The Consorzio Pannello Ecologico (Ecological Panel Consortium) was funded in 1999. Every year the Ecological Panel companies transform 1,3 million tons of scrap wood into the ecological panels, which can in turn be recycled creating a virtuous recycle-reuse circle. 1000 Italian municipalities have already joined the initiative, confirming the willingness and sensitivity of public bodies. More than 400 furniture manufacturers have already chosen to use the Ecological Panel in the production of their furniture. In 2002 the Ecological Panel label has gone beyond the boundaries of Europe and reached China. The project is accompanied by an impressive advertising campaign, claiming to “save the environment”. Through the Consortium, also the primary schools are active on this issue, with initiatives created purposely for them by giving free materials to help children to think about recycling issues.