Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) & Sustainable Harvesting Program
One of the biggest concerns for a new parent is assuring the health and safety of their child. Babies – especially newborns – are vulnerable to germs and pollutants that are otherwise harmless to adults. Their immune systems are still developing which is why it is essential to keep their surroundings clean and free of dust, chemicals, allergens etc.
Healthy, Safe, and Sustainable
It’s not easy finding products that are guaranteed or certified to be safe for your child. A quick trip to the baby products aisle at the local store is enough to overwhelm new parents with a plethora of choices available. Should you choose organic or ‘natural’ baby food products? Some baby products are priced much higher than others. But can you be sure you’re paying for better quality as opposed to the branding?
The purchase decision becomes even more difficult for certain product categories like baby furniture or interior paint. While those products must meet certain safety requirements, most companies simply do the bare minimum in order to ensure compliance. Natart Juvenile on the other hand, exceeds those requirements by a sizeable margin. Consumers have to make their own choices about what is and isn’t safe for their children. Consider the case of volatile organic compounds in paints. Only recently have manufacturers started to make low VOC paint that is safe for nurseries.
On the flipside, some products may be safe for children but harmful to the environment. They may contain non-biodegradable compounds or harmful chemicals that are released during disposal. Most end up in landfills after use. If you’re concerned about sustainability and the safety of your baby, how do you choose the best furniture for the nursery?
Independent Third-Party Certification
In the absence of government regulation, industry-driven third-party certification standards are the only option for consumers. The Greenguard Certification is one such standard that helps parents choose furniture with extremely new emissions of harmful chemical compounds. All nursery furniture made and sold by Natart Juvenile carries this certification. It is a welcome relief for parents trying to decide the best options for furnishing the nursery.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The FSC certification is a standard that focuses on the supply chain for certain industries that rely on forests. The Forest Stewardship Council is an international nonprofit organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC sets certain standards for certain categories like timber, paper, jewelry, and even medicines. Products that meet the standards are certified and labeled as eco-friendly.
Many manufacturing companies manage forests on private and public land. Carrying the FSC certification and participating in their sustainable harvesting program is a clear sign of responsible forest management. Any company that wishes to be certified by the FSC has to pass a series of tests by independent, third-party auditors. They have to demonstrate that their practices are sustainable and protect the environment.
The certification has certain unique aspects that distinguish it from other efforts. For instance, products cannot contain harmful chemicals that might otherwise be legal in several countries. The standard also expects companies to protect nearby water supplies, prohibit the harvest of old forests, and prevent loss of forest cover in vulnerable areas.
All nursery furniture from Natart, Nest, and Tulip is made from wood that comes from FSC certified suppliers. The certification assures parents that their products do not cause any harm to the environment. The chain of custody certification ensures that the product is certified from the source all the way to the end user.
So, check for certification the next time you buy something for your nursery. Most vendors display their certifications clearly on the display. If not, you can always ask!