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Eco-design by
The increased awareness of human impact on the environment has led to new developments in design and quality.
At Roche Bobois, eco-design integrates the following concepts: a product is only creative
and high-quality if it is respectful of the earth’s environment and of our customers’ environments.
We have worked with the FCBA(1), to develop our own qualitiative assessment tool, Eco8.
Eco8 is based on 8 criteria grouped into 4 sets:
MATERIAL
1 - Environmental profi le for materials used for the structures (recyclability, etc.).
2 - Environmental profi le of materials used for upholstery.
MANUFACTURING
3 - Stains, varnishes, glue, and fi nishes used.
4 - Environmental approaches used in the workshops (certifi cations, etc.).
USE
5 - Product durability.
6 - Where applicable: type and effi ciency of lighting in a product.
RECYCLING
7 - Quantity of materials used.
8 - Separability of materials used.
Each of criterion is rated from 1 to 4, then an average is calculated.
We have internally determined that a product must obtain a score equal or greater than 3 to be designated as eco-designed.
Roche Bobois has taken certain actions to improve its environmental impact, including:
• Reducing VOC emissions in the atmosphere and in the home:
• Using natural fi nishes for certain collections (using oils or waxes instead of polyurethane varnishes).
• To reduce formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, being compliant with the CARB/TSCA Title VI, which is a very strict regulation that is required in the US.
• Having our workshops achieve certain standards and certifi cations:
• ISO 14001 for environmental management (43% of our products come from manufacturing workshops that meet this standard).
• ISO 9001 for quality-control.
• OHSAS 18001 for workplace health and safety.
• FSC/PEFC for using wood from sustainably managed forests: we are progressively increasing the proportion of products made from wood panels and solid wood that comply with
these certifi cations.
• The implementation of an eco-design guide for our designers and workshops
Systematise good practices during product development, including using the Eco8 assessment tool.
(1) FCBA: French Institute of Technology for Forest Based and Furniture Sectors.
Maison Lacroix - Histoires Naturelles* I cabinet
designed by Christian Lacroix Maison for Roche Bobois
see index p. 84
*
Paris Paname* I magazine rack
designed by Bruno Moinard
see index p. 84
*
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Eco8 allows us to measure the impact of our products on the environment, and helps us find solutions
to improve it whenever possible. We are not only developing new eco-designed products, but are also revisiting existing
products to make them more ethical. More than 150 products have passed the assessment. These products
are designated in the catalogue with the following symbol:
Claridge
desk, bookcase and dresser I designed by Roche Bobois Studio
see index p. 82, 86 and 84
Florian I armchair I designed by Roche Bobois Studio
p. 79
Carrés I rug I designed by Messieurs
p. 91
*
*
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