What is BIFMA?
For commercial and institutional furniture makers, BIFMA level accreditation is a voluntary standard. For manufacturers at various phases of their sustainability journey, the standard establishes measurable criteria for numerous degrees of success and performance. Level certification demonstrates to the marketplace that a company's products, manufacturing facilities, and policies have met tough third-party sustainability requirements.
Applicants for BIFMA level certification can earn credits in four areas: materials, energy and the environment, human and ecosystem health, and social responsibility. Prerequisites and credits relating to products, manufacturing facilities, and the business as a whole are included in each area.
Manufacturers can receive one of three levels of certification based on the points they have accumulated:
level 1 – 32-44 points
level 2 – 45-62 points
level 3 – 63-100 points for BIFMA, and 63-94 for FEMB
BIFMA level certification can only be granted by an approved certification body such as ISO India.
Benefits
When a manufacturer receives certification, they are given the level certification mark, which they can use to market their certification. This logo is a significant marketing tool that convinces customers of a company's legitimacy while also serving as a key difference. LEED Pilot Credit 80 allows BIFMA-certified goods to contribute to LEED credits.
LEVEL is an evaluation and certification system for environmentally-preferable and socially-responsible office furniture. The LEVEL program has three performance tiers; LEVEL 1, 2, and 3. The higher the number, the more criteria considered and met.
An Even Playing Field
LEVEL is a third-party certification programme for office furniture and furnishings, such as movable/full-height walls, systems furniture, desking systems, benching systems, case goods, storage cabinets, bookcases, file cabinets, desks, tables, screens, and related accessories.
The ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard considers a company's social actions, energy use, material choices, as well as human and ecosystem health consequences. The LEVEL trademark signifies that a product has been vetted by a third-party certifier, and the numeric marking 1, 2, or 3 shows the quality threshold it has met. The US Environmental Protection Agency's Recommended Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for government furniture purchasing include BIFMA's LEVEL Certification Program.