Improve Your Sustainability Profile - Certify to the BIFMA's Product Certification Program level™
Manufacturers, suppliers, architects, designers, and government procurement now have a
U.S. national standard for the production of sustainable office/institutional furniture: BIFMA e3 sustainability standard. The standard establishes performance requirements that address the triple bottom line - economic-environment-social equity - throughout the supply chain. It is applicable to business and institutional furniture manufactured in one facility or multiple facilities, one country or multiple countries.
BIFMA has developed, in turn, a product certification program level™. It is a modular program after LEED with specific prerequisites, optional credits, and three conformance levels, with level 3 certification being the highest. The standard includes prerequisite requirements as well as performance requirements and quantifiable metrics in four key areas:
- Material utilization
- Energy and atmosphere impacts
- Human and ecosystem health
- Social responsibility
Manufacturers evaluating products to the BIFMA e3 sustainability standard and undergoing an independent, third-party certification process from NSF International can achieve the level conformance mark.
The BIFMA level certification program was developed by a multi-stakeholder group using a transparent and public process. The goal of certification is to move the business/institutional furniture industry as a whole towards more sustainable practices. As a U.S. national standard, level certification offers buyers the highest level of confidence and credibility in a market awash with green claims.
Certification Benefits
Independent level certification allows you to:
- Distinguish your "green" products from your competitors, making you a preferred vendor to those seeking sustainable solutions.
- Achieve the most credible type of certification available in the marketplace.
- Save money by adopting more sustainable operational practices and business approaches.
Certify to the BIFMA product Certification program level™
Why choose NSF International?
- Among the first third-party certification bodies to be recognized under the level certification program
- Reliable, consistent results: As the standard development organization, NSF knows the requirements inside and the intent behind each key area.
- Meet your expanding needs: NSF is also a leading worldwide third-party registrar with programs such as ISO 14001, ISO 9000, and greenhouse gas verification and forestry certification services.
- Global Services: NSF conducts audits in over 100 countries and has a large network of international auditors.
- Exceptional Customer Service: We believe in the personal touch. You benefit from a single point of contact to guide you through the certification process.
- Cost Effective: NSF is price competitive. Each proposal is carefully tailored to the individual client. Discounts may be available for multiple services.
- Peace of Mind: NSF draws upon a 60-year history of laboratory testing, product review, validation, and technical excellence.
Other Sustainability Related Services from NSF
Besides product certification program level for business and institutional furniture, NSF also offers a comprehensive range of sustainable business solutions including:
- Indoor Air Certification
NSF's Indoor Air Emissions Certification Program includes low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions found in office furniture. VOCs, such as formaldehyde and aldehydes, are chemicals emitted by a wide array of products, including paints, building materials and furnishings, copiers, and printers. This certification program directly addresses these concerns. Having standards in place that define and identify low-emitting furniture assist manufacturers in communicating and end users in understanding environmental and sustainability-related product benefits.
- Green House Gas Management Services
NSF has expanded its environmental services to provide verification and validation of green house gas inventories and projects, being one of just a handful of leading bodies in this field and accredited by the U.S. accreditation authority, ANSI. Our range of green house gas management services meets regulatory and voluntary GHG reporting initiatives and enhances your company's public credibility in environmental initiatives.
- ISO 14001 Registration
NSF helped develop the first ISO 14001 standard more than 10 years ago and continues to be actively involved in global environmental standards. Our environmental management systems can be customized to meet your needs, ensuring continued improvement.
Contact
For more information about independent, third-party certification to the BIFMA e3 sustainability standard or other sustainable business solutions, contact NSF via:
Phone: (+1) 734.827.6810
Email: sustainabilitysales@nsf.org
To purchase a copy of the BIFMA Standard, visit the NSF bookstore.
