BIFMA International’s standards, focusing on the environmental performance of commercial furniture, have gained widespread recognition and acceptance in the marketplace for their transparency and technical rigor. The two furniture emissions standards, ANSI/BIFMA M7.1-2007 and X7.1-2007, are referenced as compliance pathways in USGBC’s LEED 2009 Commercial Interiors rating system, CHPS, ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA/USGBC Standard 189.1, and elsewhere. BIFMA recently launched its level™ certification program based on the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2010 Furniture Sustainability Standard. This program is having great success with many furniture products already certified.
Whatever your furniture testing needs, Berkeley Analytical (BkA) has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the complexities of testing specifications, applicable rating systems, and available certification programs. We can test your seating, office systems furniture and component materials for VOC emissions; conduct QC testing of composite woods for compliance with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) ACTM for formaldehyde in wood products; and if you’re a manufacturer of childhood furniture, measure chemical content for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for phthalate esters. Contact us to get started!
BIFMA International has three standards that prescribe testing methods for the determination of VOC emissions from office furniture and seating, and establish acceptance criteria for these emissions.
ANSI/BIFMA M7.1 and X7.1
In accordance with ANSI/BIFMA M7.1, BkA measures VOC and aldehyde emissions from furniture items after three and seven days elapsed time in the test chamber. Seven-day results are compared to the requirements of ANSI/BIFMA X7.1 using the open-plan, private office or seating scenarios. We also calculate 14-day emission levels from the chamber measurements for individual VOCs of concern as defined in ANSI/BIFMA e3-2010, Section 7.6.2, and also in CDPH Standard Method Version 1.1. (for CHPS and the SCS Indoor Advantage Gold™ certification program). The M7.1 and X7.1 standards and the individual VOC guidelines are the foundation of several certification programs and can form the basis of self-declared claims.
If your office furniture system or seating product is in compliance with the M7.1 and X7.1 standards, it may be eligible for USGBC LEED®-CI credit EQ4.5 Low-Emitting Materials: Systems Furniture and Seating under the Option 2 pathway.
ANSI/BIFMA e3
ANSI/BIFMA e3-2010 is a multi-attribute sustainability standard. Berkeley Analytical can help you with the sections that pertain to a product’s chemical constituents and chemical emissions:
In Section 7.6, the e3 standard goes beyond office workstations and task seating to include tables, conference tables, seating products of all types, easels, and other furniture items using a VOC emission factor approach. Also, the standard gives credit to furniture products for complying with individual VOC concentration and emission factor limits that are based on the State of CA Department of General Services RFP for procurement of Open Office Panel systems.
BkA also can help you assess the chemical composition of your products and can provide chemical analysis of bulk materials for important classes of chemicals of concern such as phthalate esters, flame retardants, and PAH.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) composite wood ACTM establishes mandatory formaldehyde emission limits and labeling requirements for composite wood products sold, supplied, or used in California. The regulation applies to furniture goods containing hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium density fiberboard, and every member of the supply chain is legally accountable. The ATCM is the most stringent, production-based, formaldehyde standard in the world. Phase 2, which establishes lower formaldehyde emission limits is being phased in between January 2010 and July 2012. National regulation will be implemented beginning January 2013.
BkA can help furniture manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers with compliance concerns by setting up QC testing programs. Chamber tests are conducted using the cost effective, CARB-designated secondary method, ASTM D 6007.
The federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 includes two regulatory requirements to minimize the content of harmful phthalate esters in child care articles, including furniture products such as cribs and diaper changing tables:
If you manufacture pre-school or classroom furniture that is used by children 12 years old and younger, the CPSIA regulation is applicable. Finishes, specific plastics, upholstery, and other components likely need to be tested for phthalates. BkA is accredited to the designated CPSC test method and can help manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers of furniture marketed for children to meet their CPSIA obligations.
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