HIGH POINT, NC -  The American Home Furnishings Alliance released a 28-page Responsible Sourcing Manual designed to help home furnishings manufacturers and sellers establish comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

AHFA says that since many of the home furnishings industry's manufacturers and marketers source from hundreds of factories around the globe, verifying sources comply with labor and environmental standards has fueled a growing interest in CSR programs.

AHFA says the manual, produced with Underwriters Laboratories UL Responsible Sourcing company,  outlines the benefits of CSR programs in the global marketplace, defines key program components, provides tips on implementation and governance, and outlines a process for assessing and monitoring suppliers. UL Responsible sourcing formed in August 2011 after UL acquired the quality assurance business of STR Holdings, a consumer product

AHFA members who assisted in developing and reviewing the manual included:
• Ann Clepper, marketing manager for Legacy Classic
• Roger Jones, VP global logistics for Century Furniture
• Rod Miller, director of environmental affairs for La-Z-Boy
• Leanne Teasdale, sourced products manager for Flexsteel Inds.
• Grace Weaver, manager international trade/regulatory compliance for FBN Logistics

A "resources" section provides sample supplier codes of conduct as well as an overview of key regulations helping to define the role of social responsibility in corporate America today, including the Lacey Act and the new California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, which went into effect on January 1. The Responsible Sourcing Manual is available in a downloadable PDF format for $249; AHFA members receive a discount.