Wood 4 Real bioeconomy
Only genuine wood products should be named wood!
Join the manifesto
You have probably already been to a furniture or flooring store and noticed the array of wood products in display. Surely, all these wooden looking products are made of real wood. Especially when you can clearly see on the label or the product description the names of certain wood species like “oak” or “hickory”. Very often some of these products contain very little to no wood. This lack of appropriate naming of products has negative repercussions for the environment and for the EU’s economic landscape.
We need to better inform EU consumers on genuine wood products in the EU and work together towards the appropriate naming of products so that consumers can make more informed choices.
Join the manifiesto
You have probably already been to a furniture or flooring store and noticed the array of wood products in display. Surely, all these wooden looking products are made of real wood! Especially when you can clearly see on the label or the product description the names of certain wood species like “oak” or “hickory”! Think again! Very often some of these products contain very little to no wood. Not only are you being misled as a consumer, but this lack of appropriate naming of products has negative repercussions for the environment and for the EU’s economic landscape.
We need to promote wood better in the EU and work together towards the appropriate naming of products so that consumers are no longer misled and can make more sustainable choices.
“The EESC recommends ensuring that norms and standards do not hamper, but rather encourage, the use of wood-based products and construction, while also ensuring that consumers are correctly informed about the possible presence of non-wood materials in those products.”
European Economic and Social Committee opinion on the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030, November 2021
“The EESC recommends ensuring that norms and standards do not hamper, but rather encourage, the use of wood-based products and construction, while also ensuring that consumers are correctly informed about the possible presence of non-wood materials in those products.”
European Economic and Social Committee opinion on the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030, November 2021
Authentic information for consumers
Currently, certain products contain within their product descriptions or labels the term “wood” or reference to a “type or species of wood” such as “oak” or “walnut”, using the specific name of plant or tree-based raw materials without the presence of such components in the product or on the surface. Such inappropriate naming guides consumers towards products they do not know the full nature and composition of.
397.000
Number of enterprises active in wood-based industries across the EU in 2018, representing 20% of EU manufacturing enterprises.
75%
Veneer companies closed between 2000 and 2020
15.000
Estimated jobs lost mostly in Europe's rural areas
Consumers are being misled!
Currently, certain products contain within their product descriptions or labels the term “wood” or reference to a “type or species of wood” such as “oak” or “walnut”, using the specific name of plant or tree-based raw materials without the presence of such components in the product or on the surface. Such inappropriate naming guides consumers towards products they do not know the full nature and composition of.
397.000
Number of enterprises active in wood-based industries across the EU in 2018, representing 20% of EU manufacturing enterprises.
75%
Veneer companies closed between 2000 and 2020
15.000
Estimated jobs lost mostly in Europe's rural areas
2020
Only 10 % of flooring surfaces sold in the EU were real wood, the other 90% had imitation surfaces or were vinyl
Sustainability
Wood is a renewable and sustainable resource without question.
Circularity
Wood is a reusable and recyclable material. It contributes to the circular bioeconomy of the EU.
Durability
Products made of genuine wood have more than double the life expectancy of non-wood surfaced products when the possibility of refinishing the surface is considered
Climate Change
Greater use of wood is key to removing CO2 as it stores carbon dioxide and contributes effectively to fighting climate change.
Forest Management
Using timber helps to comply with sustainable forest management plans and maintain forests.
Green Transition
Appropriate naming of materials will empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.
2020
Only 10 % of flooring surfaces sold in the EU were real wood, the other 90% had imitation surfaces or were vinyl
Sustainability
Wood is a renewable and sustainable resource without question.
Circularity
Wood is a reusable and recyclable material. It contributes to the circular bioeconomy of the EU.
Durability
Products made of genuine wood have more than double the life expectancy of non-wood surfaced products when the possibility of refinishing the surface is considered
Climate Change
Greater use of wood is key to removing CO2 as it stores carbon dioxide and contributes effectively to fighting climate change.
Forest Management
Using timber helps to comply with sustainable forest management plans and maintain forests.
Green Transition
Appropriate naming of materials will empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.
"In a thriving sustainable future ... we would be able to choose wood products ... , informed by the detailed information available with every purchase."
— David Attenborough
You want real Wood?Then let’s promote appropriate naming!
Appropriate naming would help provide truthful information on the composition of a product to consumers and empower them to make more sustainable choices and thus contribute to the EU’s green goals. It would also help revitalise the European industry, which across all sectors is today worth over € 100 billion. The time to do so is now, since 35 million building units are to be renovated in Europe by 2030 (EU Renovation Wave).
You want real Wood?Then let’s promote appropriate naming!
In order to remedy the current situation whereby European consumers are being misled, appropriate naming of non-wood products is essential. Product labels and descriptions should inform consumers in a way that clearly identifies the presence of real wood. Appropriarte naming would stop consumers from being misled and empower them to make more sustainable choices and thus contribute to the EU´s green goals. It would also protect the EU´s competitivenss and help revitalise the European industry, which across all sectors is today worth over €100 billon. The time to do so is now, since 35 millon building units are to be renovated in Europe by 2030 (EU Renovation Wave)