First multi-attribute sustainability standard for European office and non-domestic furniture – all information on LEVEL certification now online
New website for European LEVEL certification of sustainable office and non-domestic furniture for indoor use / First multi-attribute sustainability certification in Europe
Effective immediately, manufacturers, retailers and purchasers of office and non-domestic furniture for indoor use can find all information on the new European LEVEL certification system for sustainability online at www.levelcertified.eu. This has just been announced by the European Office Furniture Federation (FEMB). Over the past eight years, the umbrella organisation of European office furniture manufacturers has commissioned the development and accreditation of the first multi-attribute standard for certifying sustainable office and non-domestic furniture for indoor use in Europe.
First multi-attribute certification programme in Europe
This makes LEVEL the first Europe-wide sustainability certification in the office and non-domestic furniture sector that takes into account European legislation, green public procurement principles and EU circular economy guidelines. The certification encompasses the evaluation of all aspects of sustainability within the four defined requirement areas: ‘Materials’, ‘Energy and Atmosphere’, ‘Human and Ecosystem Health’ and ‘Social Responsibility’. It examines and assesses not only the choice of materials employed in the products and their fabrication, but also the social behaviour of the company, its energy consumption and the environmental and human impacts of the chemical components used.
Not just another sustainability standard – evaluation in three test levels
The entire certification process is carried out by independent certification bodies that must be LEVEL accredited according to ISO 17065. It is based on a three-level scoring system for sustainability. The products, production sites and company values are assessed with regard to the four impact areas at the three test levels. 23 prerequisites must be met by all applicants before continuing with other optional criteria for gaining points. Depending on the score achieved, a given product then receives the LEVEL seal for the corresponding level 1, level 2 or level 3, wherein level 3 is the highest certificate. ‘The LEVEL certification is not just another standard for sustainability,’ explains Roman Przybylski, President of the European Office Furniture Federation (FEMB). ‘We want to provide guidance for both purchasers and users of office and non-domestic furniture, including comprehensive orientation for their procurement processes. In this way, we can at the same time support manufacturers in acting sustainably and responsibly,’
First sustainable products awarded the ‘level 3’ seal
Since the FEMB LEVEL certification was introduced in autumn 2018, 81 products from the office furniture manufacturers VS, Interstuhl and Haworth have been awarded the highest seal, ‘level 3’. Not only members of the FEMB, but also manufacturers of corresponding products worldwide may obtain certification. You will find all further certification process details online at www.levelcertified.eu.