DANBURY, Conn.--ETHAN ALLEN announces the successful completion of the Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture (EFEC) program registration at all of its domestic manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Vermont, and New Jersey. Launched by the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) in 1999, EFEC is an environmental management system that requires companies—on a facility-by-facility basis—to analyze and better understand the environmental impact of their processes, raw materials, and finished products.

“And for us, that commitment means not only making the best use of our resources but also taking steps to preserve the safety and health of our employees and their communities.”

“We are proud of our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Ethan Allen Chairman, President and CEO, Farooq Kathwari. “And for us, that commitment means not only making the best use of our resources but also taking steps to preserve the safety and health of our employees and their communities.”

Since undergoing EFEC registration, Ethan Allen has incorporated EFEC requirements into its existing environmental health and safety management system. Registration is contingent upon a policy of continuous improvement in the areas of water and energy conservation, recycling, and waste reduction. Following audits completed in each facility by a certified EFEC auditor, the EFEC's Board of Examiners determined that all criteria for registration had been met and unanimously voted to register the facilities.

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Two of the company's distribution centers and about 20 retail service centers will also be implementing the EFEC program. Eventually, Ethan Allen plans to implement EFEC in all of its retail locations and to pursue Sustainable by Design (SBD) certification. The AHFA's SBD program requires companies to calculate their baseline carbon footprints and to develop strategies for reducing those footprints. In addition, SBD-certified companies must develop social responsibility programs that include codes of conduct for all overseas suppliers.

In addition to completing EFEC registration in its domestic manufacturing facilities, Ethan Allen has been awarded: the Environmental Merit Award by the New England Office of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); a Certificate of Environmental Stewardship by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (NJDEP) Environmental Stewardship Initiative; an Outstanding Use of Wood Award by the Northeastern Loggers Association (NELA); and a Congressional Certificate of Special Recognition by Congressman Christopher Murphy of the 5th Congressional District in Connecticut for dedication to improving the environmental effects of its business operations.

About Ethan Allen

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (NYSE:ETH) is a interior design company and manufacturer and retailer of quality home furnishings. The company offers free interior design service to its clients and sells a full range of furniture products and decorative accessories through ethanallen.com and a network of approximately 300 Design Centers in the United States and abroad. Ethan Allen owns and operates eight manufacturing facilities, including five manufacturing plants and one sawmill in the United States plus two plants in Mexico and Honduras. Approximately seventy percent of its products are made in its North American plants. For more information on Ethan Allen's products and services, visit ethanallen.com.

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