BIFMA Launches Green Furniture Certification

The ANSI standard is designed based on a holistic approach to sustainability.

by Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 6/11/2008

A new green standard modeled on the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program is underway for the furnishings market. Designed to be an American National Standards Institute standard, the BIFMA E3-2008 Business and Institutional Furniture Sustainability Standard is conceived by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) International and NSF International (NSF). The two organizations are now seeking consensus vote and public comment on the standard. 

Development took over two years and included participation from academics, the A & D community, end users, regulatory agencies, federal and state government, certification bodies, non-governmental organizations, manufacturers, and suppliers.

Furnishings will be certified based on a holistic approach: After certain criteria is met, furnishings will be evaluated for materials, natural resource utilization, energy, renewable energy, greenhouse gas impacts, human and eco-system health, material toxicity, and social responsibility.

"By employing this open and balanced consensus process, we've ensured that a broad range of perspectives have been considered in this standard," says Thomas Reardon, BIFMA's executive director.