The first furniture products have been certified to the newest version of the ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard. Tayco, a Toronto-based office furniture manufacturer, has received LEVEL certification from Intertek, one of six certification bodies authorized to grant the LEVEL mark.
Since 1967 Tayco has been a modern office furniture manufacturer supplying high quality workplace furnishings in North America.
The company’s product offering and services have evolved with the changing demands of the marketplace with its comprehensive portfolio of office systems, desks, storage, tables and seating.
“We understand that manufacturing can have a large impact on the environment and we are making a conscious effort to reduce our footprint in everything we create. It is rewarding for our employees, suppliers and customers to see that Tayco is committed to doing what is right for our planet and its people,” says Kevin Philips, Tayco CEO.
Published in February 2019, the standard updates the 2014 version and harmonizes with other leading programs using a product manufacturing, use, and recovery lens.
The 2014 reading saw 72 manufacturers certify over 4,600 products to it, and it will remain available for use until February of 2020. After that, the three-year LEVEL certifications will have to begin using the new version upon recertification.
Intertek provides commercial furniture manufacturers certification to the BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainable Standard for LEVEL certification.
Based on the BIFMA e3-Furniture Sustainability Standard, LEVEL is a third-party certification program that presents manufacturers with feedback for evaluating the environmental, human, and social impacts of their furniture products for manufacturing.
According to LEVEL’s website, “LEVEL is to commercial furniture as LEED is to buildings. Also like LEED, LEVEL is comprehensive. It addresses criteria across corporate, facility and product impacts in a way that few other certifications do”.
To obtain points for LEVEL one, two or three certification, manufacturers may chose from those credits they want to attempt.
The independent third-party certification from Intertek can demonstrate LEVEL certification, with compliance to the BIFMA e3 standard and allow manufacturers to achieve the LEVEL mark.
“Attempting the BIFMA e3 standard gave us the opportunity to take an in depth look at sustainability in all areas of the business including our environmental impact, health and wellness impacts, and social impacts. We couldn’t be more pleased to be the first to achieve LEVEL 2 with the new ANSI/BIFMA e3-2019 Furniture Sustainability Standard,” says Philips.