A BIFMA certification is one of the most widely recognised standards when it comes to guaranteeing that commercial and institutional furniture is durable, safe and built for everyday use. Developed by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association, BIFMA certification applies to office and task chairs, desks, storage and public seating.

Learn more about BIFMA certification and why it matters below. Continue reading or contact us for more information.

Overview of BIFMA Certification

A BIFMA certification is a standard within the furniture industry that provides assurance of a product’s durability, stability and performance.

At Cecil Nurse, our BIFMA certification primarily applies to our office and task chairs, as well as selected soft seating and occasional tub chairs. This ensures that each of our chairs meets the quality and standards needed to be categorized at a BIFMA certified level.

Understanding BIFMA standards and benefits for consumers can help with peace of mind, as you know that each piece of furniture is tested against recognised industry benchmarks before it reaches its destination. Once a product has met specific performance and safety requirements, it will be labeled as BIFMA compliant.

Advantages of BIFMA Certification

When setting up a workspace, consumers need to know that the furniture they choose is suitable for commercial-grade use and able to withstand heavy daily wear and tear.

A BIFMA certification provides this reassurance by guaranteeing that the certified furniture is both safe and durable enough to last for years.

Some other advantages of BIFMA certification include:

• Reduced replacement costs, as certified furniture is built to outlast everyday commercial use.
• An objective way for consumers to compare products based on independent, third-party verified benchmarks.
• Support for procurement and compliance needs – especially if buyers are furnishing a space where specific requirements and standards need to be met.

BIFMA Compliant vs BIFMA Level

When it comes to evaluating the standards and quality of commercial-grade furniture, there is a difference between being BIFMA compliant and having a BIFMA certification level.

Being BIFMA compliant means that furniture undergoes a variety of mechanical and performance tests. This is done to ensure that each piece meets required standards in terms of safety, durability and strength.

A BIFMA Level certification is a grading system that categorises furniture into 4 different levels by evaluating criteria such as material health, environmental health, and social responsibility. This is done in addition to already having BIFMA compliance, but it is not the same thing.

Four levels of BIFMA certification

According to the official BIFMA website, the 4 different certification levels have the following criteria:

• Level 1
  This is the entry level for BIFMA certification. Manufacturers understand the contents of their products and have basic sustainability practices in place.
• Level 2
  Manufacturers have assessed the health and environmental impacts of their materials and have documented standards and procedures in place.
• Level 3
  Manufacturers are advancing their management systems and have determined the chemical inventory of their products. They are also disclosing their product contents and impacts publicly, helping customers make informed decisions.
• Level 4
  This level reaches the top tier of sustainability standards. Manufacturers have removed and/or replaced product materials with alternatives that have less impact on health or the environment.

Cecil Nurse: Providers of Certified Office Furniture

Cecil Nurse has been a leading supplier of high-quality office furniture for over 80 years. We offer a variety of BIFMA certified products, including task and office chairs, soft seating and tub chairs.

Our product range is designed for everyday commercial use, ensuring that each item of furniture meets standards you can rely on. Knowing that a product is both durable and safe provides peace of mind, so you can more confidently choose furniture for your workspace.

Furnish your workspace with confidence. Explore our BIFMA-certified office chair range now or contact us for more information.