SGS Expands Furniture Services to Assist Vietnam’s Growing Furniture Export Industry

SGS has responded to Vietnam’s recent 7.9% growth in gross domestic product and the opportunities for international trade this presents to the furniture industry, with an expansion in capabilities.

Despite a long history of domestic furniture manufacturing, there has only been a single recognizable furniture industry for about 20 years. It has now grown into the second largest exporter of furniture in the Asia-Pacific region, and fifth in the world. In 2017, its furniture exports were valued at around USD 7.66 billion, increasing to USD 8.66 billion in 2018.
Vietnam currently has around 1,500 furniture exporters, of which about 450 are FDI (foreign direct investment) companies, accounting for over 45% of furniture exports.

The country’s key advantage is flexibility. It has recently moved from a focus on outdoor furniture to indoor furniture lines, while increasing investment in advanced production techniques. This has contributed to foreign importers increasingly looking to Vietnam for furniture supplies.

Helping Vietnam’s growth is the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement, the Comprehensive Progressive Tran-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP), and the current trade-war between China and the US. Vietnamese products currently enjoy zero tax in the US, while Chinese manufacturers have a 10% tariff, which may rise to 25% if the war escalates.

Manufacturers of furniture must acknowledge that increased demand also comes with additional requirements. European, US and Japanese consumers are now demanding evidence of sustainability in the wood that is used in their consumer products.
To help Vietnamese manufacturers fulfil these requirements and take advantage of these international opportunities, SGS has expanded the range of services it offers. It offers a comprehensive range of service for:
• Outdoor furniture – seating and table
• Domestic furniture – seating, tables, storage & beds
• Office furniture – seating, tables, cabinets and panel system
• Children’s furniture – seating, tables, bunk bed and baby cribs
• Non-domestic furniture – seating, tables, storage

To access the US market, our laboratories provide mechanical testing against:
• ANSI BIFMA X5.1 – chairs
• ANSI BIFMA X5.3 – vertical files
• ANSI BIFMA X5.4 – lounge seating
• ANSI BIFMA X5.5 – tables
• ANSI BIFMA X5.6 – panel systems
• ANSI BIFMA S6.5 – small/home office
• ANSI BIFMA X5.9 – storage, cabinets
• ANSI SOHO S 6.5 – office furniture
• ANSI BIFMA X6.1 – educational seating
• ASTM F 1427-07 – children's/picnic tables
• ASTM F 1838 – children's tables
• ASTM F 2057 – storage, cabinets

To access EU markets:
• Seating – EN 12520, EN 1022, EN 1335, EN 13761, BS 4875
• Tables/desks – EN 12521, EN 1730, EN 527-2
• Outdoor furniture – EN 581 Part 1, 2, 3
• Contract furniture – EN 15732, EN 16139
• Glass shelves – BS 6206
• Cabinets – BS 4875-7
• Domestic and kitchen storage units and worktops – safety requirements and test methods EN 14749, EN 16121

SGS in Vietnam can also test furniture against Australian and Japanese requirements, the ISTA standard for packaging, and chemical testing. In addition, they provide a comprehensive range of inspection, auditing and certification services.

SGS Furniture Services
SGS helps you deliver well-designed, functional, durable and safe products to your customers. We have the furniture industry, regulatory and technical expertise to check your products’ compliance against relevant standards and/or your own specifications. Learn more about SGS’s Furniture Services: [www.sgs.com/furniture]

For more information, please contact:

Joe Wong
Hardlines Laboratory Manager
SGS Vietnam Ltd.
Tel: +84 225 355 2722 ext.317

Van Ung
Deputy Hardlines Laboratory Manager
SGS Vietnam Ltd.
Tel: (84 28) 3816 0999 ext.159

Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

1, Mons Calpe
Chitcombe Road
Broad Oak
Rye
East Sussex
TN31 6EU

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

This release was published on openPR.