ANSI/BIFMA e3-2010 Furniture Sustainability Standard Gains Traction

The ANSI/BIFMA e3-2010 Furniture Sustainability Standard establishes performance criteria for sustainable furniture manufacturing that addresses environmental and social aspects throughout the life cycle chain. The Standard “provides a pathway towards sustainability by establishing measurable criteria for multiple levels of achievement and/or performance.” The Standard applies to all business and institutional furniture including systems furniture, casegoods, tables, seating, and accessories, and addresses product-based characteristics in the areas of materials, energy use, human and ecosystem health, and social responsibility impacts. The Standard has established Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels of conformance, with points earned by conforming to the various credits counting toward overall conformance. Third-party verification of the score can then be used to achieve one of the three BIFMA level® certification designations for a particular furniture product. The MAS Certified Green® Program can provide the required third-party testing to help you meet the Low Emitting Furniture credit, and can provide consulting services toward achieving level® certification. Contact MAS for more information.