OUR BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
COMMITTED TO OUR PRINCIPLES
INTEGRITY, HONESTY AND RESPECT
At HEQS Furniture, we are committed to crafting quality furniture that not only brings comfort and beauty into homes, but also contributes positively to the world we live in. We believe that furniture can be a force for good — supporting ethical craftsmanship, empowering local communities, and promoting responsible use of natural resources.
To truly succeed — not just as a business, but as a brand that keeps its promise — we must earn the trust and respect of our employees, customers, partners, and the wider community.
That’s why every aspect of our work, from sourcing sustainable materials and collaborating with skilled artisans, to delivering exceptional service, is guided by our core values and business principles.
We are committed to acting with integrity, honesty, and respect in all our operations — upholding fair practices and complying fully with all applicable laws and regulations.
All our employees embrace the ethical standards set by our corporate values and codes of conduct, while respecting local traditions, cultures, and customs.
By staying true to these principles, we aim to build a sustainable and respected furniture brand — one that is trusted to do the right thing for our people, our partners, our customers, and the environment.
COMMITTED TO CREATING SHARED VALUE
THROUGH RESPONSIBLE DESIGN AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE
We firmly believe that long-term success in the furniture industry requires more than just complying with legal standards — it calls for a deep commitment to sustainability and the creation of shared value.
Inspired by this vision, we go beyond compliance to actively create value not only for our business, but also for our customers, craftsmen, suppliers, partners, and the wider community.
Our Responsible Design Strategy is how we bring this vision to life. It reflects our holistic approach to sustainability — from sourcing renewable and responsibly managed materials, to reducing waste in production, and supporting ethical labor throughout our supply chain.
By embedding shared value into the way we design, build, and deliver furniture, we aim to create lasting benefits for people, homes, and the planet.
COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
THROUGH OUR RESPONSIBLE SOURCING PROGRAM
A set of rigorous standards underpins our approach to creating shared value across our furniture supply chain. Our Responsible Sourcing Program is a unique sourcing model through which we establish direct relationships with material suppliers and craftsmen to ensure we deliver the highest quality, responsibly made furniture.
All suppliers must adhere to our corporate principles and the Supplier Code of Conduct. In addition, specific sustainability standards are set for raw material sourcing, craftsmanship quality, and ethical labor practices.
Through this ongoing collaboration, we ensure our furniture not only meets the highest standards of quality and safety, but also contributes positively to the people who make it and the environment it comes from.
There are 39 core standards in our Responsible Sourcing Program, 13 of which focus specifically on environmental and social aspects such as sustainable forestry, material traceability, workplace safety, and fair labor practices. All 39 standards must be met within three years of a supplier or workshop joining our program.
When selecting our partners, we ensure they can meet our exacting standards for craftsmanship, design consistency, and material quality. However, there are three non-negotiable prerequisites that must be fulfilled before joining the program:
- no child labor
- no forced labor
- no harassment or abuse of workers.
These critical requirements are verified during initial assessments and remain grounds for immediate exclusion if violated at any time.
Our quality and sustainability team works directly with artisans, manufacturers, and material suppliers in over a dozen countries, providing guidance, training, and resources to help them improve production efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and meet rising product expectations.
Once partners achieve the core standards, they are encouraged to progress through advanced modules tailored to their specific operations — such as energy efficiency, circular design, or community engagement.
This commitment to continuous improvement delivers real results: suppliers produce higher quality, more sustainable furniture; worker conditions improve; and long-term value is created for customers, communities, and the planet.
A TRANSPARENT APPROACH
TO ASSESSING PROGRESS
The responsibilities and expectations for our company and all partners involved in the Responsible Sourcing Program are clearly defined in our Shared Commitment Charter. This document serves as a practical guide to help material suppliers, manufacturers, and workshops operate with integrity across our furniture supply chain.
All participating partners are visited at least once a year by our sourcing and compliance team. During these visits, they are assessed against our program standards and provided with tailored guidance and support to help them continuously improve.
To ensure transparency and credibility, compliance with our standards is also verified by independent third-party auditors who evaluate a representative sample of partners annually. Many of our suppliers additionally hold certifications from organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or ISO-compliant bodies, which conduct their own external audits as part of certification maintenance.
PARTNERS ARE KEY
SUPPORTING OUR WORK THROUGHOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN
Creating shared value in the furniture industry means working closely with partners to identify where we can generate the most meaningful and lasting positive impact.
Our sourcing program was co-developed with environmental and ethical partners, combining our product and design expertise with their knowledge of sustainable forestry, responsible labor, and local ecosystems. Since its inception, this collaboration has helped us ensure that our furniture not only meets high-quality standards, but also supports forest conservation, safe working environments, and long-term community wellbeing.
This integrated, transparent approach is embedded in our business model and made possible through direct relationships with material suppliers, workshops, and artisans — all working together to shape a more sustainable furniture future.
We have worked with leading organizations such as Fairtrade International since 2014 to build impactful initiatives that go beyond certification, aiming to improve the livelihoods and welfare of workers and artisans across our furniture supply chain.
We also develop and monitor our policies on child labor, safe working conditions, and fair treatment. Our Responsible Sourcing Program is regularly reviewed against the FLA’s Principles of Fair Labor and Responsible Sourcing, which align with key international human rights and due diligence frameworks. These partnerships help us strengthen our commitment to ethical labor practices and ensure that our supply chain operates with transparency, accountability, and respect for human dignity.