FEMB Sustainability Requirements

FEMB certification program “Sustainability requirements for office and non-domestic furniture for indoor use“

Purpose and scope of certification

  • As part of the certification program run by the European Office Furniture Association, office and non-domestic furniture can be certified at three different levels (1–3) to prove that it is manufactured in an environmentally friendly and socially responsible manner.
  • The level certification covers four areas of impact: materials, energy and atmosphere, chemical management, and social responsibility, thus combining all relevant aspects of sustainability in a certificate that is valid throughout Europe.
  • Level certification is often required in public tenders.

Structure of the certification process

The procedure comprises three mandatory elements:

  • Initial surveillance of the manufacturer in the four areas of activity for the selected products, e.g., tables, cabinet furniture, chairs
  • Certification of products by EPH GmbH, valid for 3 years, entry into the FEMB database, which is accessible to customers and end users
  • Interim surveillance of the product manufacturer after approximately 18 months to maintain certification

Certificate variants

  • There are three variants of the trademark, with Level 3 having the highest requirements: