EFIC Joined in The Criticism of The New French Furniture-Recycling System

The European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC) and the Austrian Furniture Industry Association have joined in the criticism of the new French furniture-recycling system. The two associations criticize in particular what is in their view the disproportionately high bureaucratic process and the associated market-blocking effects for the European single market which represent a breach of the principle of free traffic of goods. EFIC president Markus Wiesner sees the French recycling system as a clear competitive disadvantage for other European furniture manufacturers. Concrete details regarding additional costs generated by the new recycling system and declines in sales already recorded were not provided. According to Dolunay Yerit from the Austrian Furniture Industry Association, all national member associations of the EFIC agree that a legal provision should be created to apply across the whole of the EU. A parliamentary question to be addressed to the competent EU authority is currently under consideration, though a decision on that will be made at the earliest at the end of August 2013 after the summer break in Brussels.