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Möbelfakta’s new CEO wants to make it easier to choose sustainably
At the beginning of May, Johan Söderqvist took up the position of CEO of IVL’s new subsidiary – the labelling system Möbelfakta. In his new role, he wants to make Möbelfakta better known in the short term, while in the longer term he views labelling as an important tool in enabling the industry to compete on equal terms and enabling customers to choose more sustainable furniture.
“These issues interest me, so I’m really looking forward to this assignment. I enjoy working closely with companies where we can achieve tangible business and sustainability benefits. I also liking working with something that everyone can relate to, namely furniture. In an effort to achieve a more sustainable society, I see Möbelfakta becoming a system that makes it possible for more companies to get better at making conscious choices, although this also creates the conditions for competition on equal terms.”
How will it be evident that you are taking over the leadership role?
“Möbelfakta will always evolve in line with the sector. The long-term goal is to increase companies’ potential to use the label on multiple markets and to make use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation to achieve more circular flows. My first task is to make Möbelfakta more visible, as well as to take advantage of the synergies that exist with IVL’s other subsidiaries that have related operations.”
You have worked in various roles in the past, including as a technical consultant and sustainability manager within building materials companies. How do you think Möbelfakta will benefit from your experience in the construction industry?
“There’s a lot that can be learned from the construction industry. It may be perceived as traditional, but due to the large number of suppliers it is very exposed to competition. This provides a strong incentive to develop products with a focus on function and sustainability. The construction industry is also at the forefront when it comes to imposing environmental and climate requirements, and many companies are gearing up for this
Name: Johan Söderqvist Age: 44 Function at IVL: CEO of the subsidiary Möbelfakta Sverige AB and project manager at IVL’s office in Stockholm, focusing on business development of tools and services within life cycle assessments. Background: M.Sc. in Engineering and a technical licentiate degree in bridge construction from KTH/CBI Betonginstitutet. Has worked with sectoral development and sustainability issues within construction through various roles at both material suppliers and research institutes.
ABOUT MÖBELFAKTA
Möbelfakta is a reference and labelling system aimed at actors in the furniture industry. At present, the label covers nearly 60 active companies with more than 1,000 products and furniture series. It is principally targeted at furniture used in public environments, although brands that are more focused on private consumers also use Möbelfakta’s labelling for their products. Möbelfakta i Sverige AB is owned by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute as the majority owner and Trä- och Möbelföretagen as the minority owner.
challenge, including through various labelling and assessment systems. I believe that my experience of this can be useful in my work with Möbelfakta.”
What sustainability challenges do you see labelling being able to solve, and how?
“For the furniture industry, chemicals, poor working conditions and illegal logging are examples of challenges that are directly linked to sustainability, but that also give rise to skewed competition. Möbelfakta provides companies with the opportunity to systematically manage these risks in their operations, production and the supply chain. The system provides the conditions for achieving the right long-term balance between high environmental and sustainability requirements and what the industry as a whole is capable of delivering.” • 3.9 Reducing instances of illness and death caused by harmful chemicals and pollutants • 6.4 Streamlining water use and safe water supply • 8.4 Improving resource efficiency in consumption and production • 12.5 Significantly reducing the amount of waste • 12.6 Encouraging companies to apply sustainable methods and sustainability reporting • 15.2 Promoting sustainable forestry, halting deforestation and restoring depleted forests
To find out more about Möbelfakta, please contact: Johan Söderqvist, johan.soderqvist@ivl.se, tel. 010-788 69 44 Anna Jarnehammar, anna.jarnehammar@ivl.se, tel. 010-788 65 76
