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In a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, material selection is about much more than aesthetics—it is about safety, durability, sustainability, and strategic foresight.

The July 2025 BIFMA Learning Series, hosted in collaboration with the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID), brought together a powerhouse panel of experts to explore the critical role of material selection in healthcare environments. From infection control to sustainability, the discussion, led by Shelley deSilva, National Healthcare Sales Director with SitOnIt Seating, illuminated the complex interplay between design, performance, and public health.

Why Materials Fail—and What We Can Do About It

“Most failures come down to two things,” said Barbara Dellinger, Principal of Dellinger Consulting, LLC, and retired Director of Design/Research at Adventist Healthcare. “Either the material was specified incorrectly for the environment, or it wasn’t cleaned and disinfected properly.”

Dellinger recounted a pivotal moment in 2020 when 13 chairs in a hospital had to be discarded due to fabric degradation because of excessive wiping with bleach wipes during Covid.  This incident helped catalyze the formation of the Durable Coated Fabrics Task Group. Since then, the group has worked with the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA) to establish a rigorous 16-test standard for healthcare-grade materials.

Unfortunately, this was the result of fabric failures after less than a year in a very large hospital. Image used with permission of Dellinger Consulting, LLC.

These “real world” tests, now part of the CFFA Healthcare 201 certification, evaluate if upholstery textiles can withstand the minimum of performance and durability for the harsh realities of healthcare environments that face heavy traffic, damaging environmental contaminates, and aggressive disinfectants.

BIFMA offers specifiers and buyers help with their material choices for furniture in healthcare environments. BIFMA’s long-standing Guideline has undergone a major update that includes more tools for assessing material selections based on the risk exposure of an environment and furniture design criteria. Release of the BIFMA G8.1 guideline, “Furniture Surfaces: Design and Durability for Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting,” is planned for fall 2025.

The Hidden Cost of Cleanliness

While cleanliness is paramount in healthcare, the methods used to achieve it can have unintended consequences. Shari Solomon, President of CleanHealth Environmental, LLC and an expert in infection prevention, highlighted a startling statistic: “if a patient is admitted to a room previously occupied by someone with a healthcare-associated infection, their risk of acquiring that infection increases by 120%." This underscores the importance of effective disinfection—but also the risks. “More is not always better,” Solomon warned. “Harsh chemicals can degrade surfaces, creating micro fissures that harbor pathogens.”

Degraded covering that can increase risk of infection. Image used with permission of Dellinger Consulting, LLC.

The panel emphasized the need for “safer choice” disinfectants—products that balance efficacy with reduced toxicity and material impact. A recent EPA-funded initiative led by Solomon and Jane Rohde, Principal and Founder of JSR Associates, is helping long-term care facilities adopt these safer alternatives, complete with training and policy development.

UVC Disinfection: A Double-Edged Sword

Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light has emerged as a powerful tool for disinfection, especially in high-risk areas like operating rooms. But as Linda Gabel, Senior Facilities Planner at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explained, it comes with trade-offs.

“We were seeing walls turn yellow and materials degrade within months,” Gabel said. “One day of high-intensity UVC exposure is equivalent to a full summer of sunlight.”

Discoloration caused by UVC disinfecting light at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center after 3 months. Image used with the permission of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

The result? The early onset failure of finishes physically changes surfaces from non-porous to porous, which is an infection prevention issue in patient care spaces.  To remove and replace these degraded finishes, healthcare facilities face costly renovations, and potential health risks from microplastic release. Gabel’s team is now exploring materials with higher UVC resistance and advocating for lifecycle cost analysis over first-cost decisions.

Testing for the Real World

The panelists stressed that standard certifications are just the beginning. Gabel’s team conducted independent testing on healthcare fabrics, exposing them to common disinfectants and contaminants like sunscreen, lipstick, and hand sanitizer.

One surprising finding: marine-grade vinyl, designed for outdoor use, outperformed many traditional healthcare fabrics in durability tests.

Performance Meets Sustainability

Can a material be both high-performing and sustainable? According to Rohde, the answer is yes—but only with a holistic, multi-attribute approach.

She advocated for early collaboration among designers, environmental services, and frontline care staff to ensure that materials meet both performance and sustainability goals. Mock-ups, real-world testing, and proactive planning are key.

Actionable Takeaways for Design Leaders

1. Specify with Intent: Match materials to the actual use case, not just the aesthetic vision. 
2. Test Beyond the Label: Conduct in-house testing with your facility’s cleaning agents and contaminants.
3. Plan for Premature Failure: If a surface is likely to degrade in five years, plan for replacement at the outset.
4. Collaborate Early: Engage infection prevention, environmental services, and care staff in material selection.
5. Prioritize Lifecycle Value: Choose materials based on total cost of ownership, not just upfront price.

Looking Ahead

As healthcare design continues to evolve, the insights from this webinar offer a roadmap for resilient, responsive, and responsible material choices. By aligning performance with sustainability and grounding decisions in real-world data, interior designers can lead the charge in creating safer healing environments. To help on that journey, these experts have provided a list of Resources.

Written in cooperation with Mendy Claridge, Director of Program Management + Transformation, Kimball International and Steve Kooy, Director of Health + Sustainability, BIFMA.

A New Era for Sustainable Furniture

In a rapidly evolving design landscape, sustainability is no longer a differentiator—it’s expected. The 2024 revision of the e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard, unveiled in a recent BIFMA member webinar, marks a pivotal shift in how manufacturers, designers, and specifiers approach environmental and social responsibility. With a tiered certification model, enhanced clarity, and alignment with global frameworks, the new standard is poised to shape the future of sustainable interiors.

From Legacy to Leadership: Why the 2024 Update Matters

The 2024 revision of the e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard marks a pivotal moment for the commercial furniture industry. Rather than focusing primarily on a product’s sustainability features, the updated 2024 standard clearly connects emerging sustainability-driven market demands directly to product design and purchasing decisions. As Mendy Claridge, Director of Program Management and Transformation at Kimball International, emphasized during the BIFMA webinar, “We wanted to simplify the standard, meet market demands, and maintain credibility for the office furniture industry.”

The updated standard retains its multi-attribute structure—environmental, health and well-being, and social benefits—while introducing a fourth certification level that emphasizes optimization and innovation. “Level 4 is new,” Claridge noted. “It’s about a product meeting climate-positive requirements, optimized chemistry, and supply chain auditing. It’s the top of the pyramid.”

Tiered Certification: A Clearer Path to Progress

One of the most significant changes in the 2024 update is the introduction of a fourth certification level. The new tiered structure—Levels 1 through 4—offers a clear roadmap for manufacturers to scale their sustainability efforts:

• Tier 1: Focuses on foundational policies and material identification.
• Tier 2: Adds material inventory, assessments, and procedures.
• Tier 3: Requires advanced chemical assessments and public disclosure.
• Tier 4: Demands optimization, including the removal of harmful substances and supplier site audits.

This structure not only clarifies expectations but also aligns with green building standards like LEED, WELL, and the Living Building Challenge. “We wanted to maintain alignment with industry demand—chemical data, embodied carbon, circular economy,” Claridge emphasized.

Product Grouping and BOM Simplification: Clarity Meets Flexibility

Grouping products for certification has historically been a complex task. The 2024 standard introduces a flowchart and guidance to streamline this process. Steve Kooy, Director of Health and Sustainability at BIFMA, explained, “We wanted to make sure people had a logical way to group products—striking the right balance between being too broad and too narrow.”

Manufacturers can still use a representative product and a single bill of materials (BOM), with supplemental materials listed for variations. “The standard keeps it similar to previous versions, with more detail regarding options within a product family” Kooy reassured.

Harmonizing with Global Standards: A Strategic Advantage

The 2024 update also aligns more closely with global frameworks. The removal of Annex B and the adoption of widely recognized chemical lists—such as the Living Building Challenge “Red List” and the Cradle to Cradle Certified Restricted Substance List—simplify compliance while enhancing credibility.

“We’re harmonizing with other groups instead of creating our own lists,” Kooy explained. “It’s about simplification and alignment.”

This harmonization is especially valuable for interior designers and specifiers working on international projects or aiming to meet multiple certification requirements simultaneously.

From Product to People: Expanding the Definition of Wellness

While the standard remains product-focused, it also expands its lens on Social Impact. The updated Section 8 emphasizes employee well-being, inclusiveness, and community engagement.

“We pulled out some of the product-centric wellness criteria and focused more on programming that supports employees,” said Kooy. “It’s about creating a culture of care, not just compliant furniture.”

For design leaders, this shift underscores the importance of specifying products from manufacturers who invest in their people as much as their processes.

Certification as a Strategic Asset

The certification process itself has been refined for clarity and efficiency. Manufacturers are encouraged to engage early with certification bodies, conduct internal audits, and prepare marketing assets in parallel.

“Get your marketing team involved early,” Kooy advised. “The LEVEL registry includes images, and those images help your products stand out.”

The updated Level registry at level.bifma.org now includes searchable sustainability criteria, making it easier for designers to find products that meet specific environmental or health goals. 

Looking Ahead: Education, Advocacy, and Innovation

BIFMA is actively promoting the new standard through CEU programs, webinars, and outreach to organizations like IIDA, USGBC, and mindfulMATERIALS. The goal is to build awareness and adoption across the industry.

“We’re not just updating a standard—we’re continuing to align the industry,” said Kooy. “And we want everyone—manufacturers, designers, specifiers—to be part of it.”

For interior designers, the 2024 e3 standard offers a roadmap for making sustainability and transparency the foundation of every furniture pick.

Watch the event: 2024 e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard—Learn What's New

The material presented in this whitepaper was developed as a result of the efforts of members of the BIFMA Outdoor Furniture Subcommittee. This document was made available to BIFMA membership on July 14, 2025 for use and consideration for evaluating products that will be used in outdoor settings.

The information in this document is informative only and has not been approved by any formal vote, nor any consensus body.

Users of this whitepaper do so at their own risk.

1 Introduction 

During the 2020 global Coronavirus outbreak, offices were closed and in some instances the only way to meet people to work or socialize was in outdoor settings. BIFMA’s member companies were tasked with developing products that could withstand harsh environmental conditions such as direct UV exposure, high heat and humidity, cold, and moisture. In 2021, the BIFMA Technical Leaders met, and consensus was reached that BIFMA should work to develop a standard to address exterior tables and chairs. A subcommittee was formed to develop a standard which could combine the BIFMA Safety and Performance standards with the accelerated weathering tests to evaluate the durability and structural integrity of exterior furnishings.

This whitepaper encompasses over 3 years of meetings with manufacturers, accelerated weathering experts, and other stakeholders.

BIFMA safety and performance standards have traditionally been developed such that they do not determine product design or material(s) used. When the subcommittee developed the scope of this project, the goal was to be able to develop a standard that was material-agnostic.

In consultation with the experts, it became apparent that at this time, it would not be possible to develop a standard that would be material-agnostic and provide a bridge between the accelerated weathering and safety and performance testing. Instead, the subcommittee has developed this whitepaper as guidance to manufacturers who wish to develop and evaluate products that will be used in exterior applications.

Read BIFMA OF-2025 Outdoor Furniture Whitepaper

Written in cooperation with Laura Guido-Clark, IIDA; Founder, LOVE GOOD COLOR and Project Color Corps; Rev. Terrence Michael Curry, SJ, PhD, AIA; Executive Director, St. Joseph Studio Workshop; Yong In, IIDA, IDEC, NCIDQ, RID, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador; Clinical Assistant Professor, Purdue University; Creative Director/Design Strategist, INxD Studio; and Ryan Anderson; Vice President, Global Research & Planning, MillerKnoll. Based on a collaboration with the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI). 

A New Frontier in Design Thinking

In a world increasingly shaped by data and digital tools, the interior design profession is undergoing a profound transformation. At the heart of this evolution lies neuroaesthetics—a field that bridges neuroscience and aesthetics to explore how our environments shape our emotions, behaviors, and well-being. The recent BIFMA Learning Series webinar, hosted in collaboration with International Federation of Interior Designers/Architects (IFI), brought together leading voices to unpack the science and art of neuroaesthetics in the built environment.

The Science of Feeling: What Is Neuroaesthetics?

Reverend Terrence Michael Curry, Executive Director of Saint Joseph Studio Workshop and a global professor of architecture, opened the discussion by grounding neuroaesthetics in centuries of philosophical inquiry. “Aesthetics,” he explained, “is not just about beauty—it’s about how a thing imposes an experience on us.” Drawing on thinkers from Plato to Edmund Burke, Curry emphasized that our experience of space is embodied, emotional, and measurable.

He introduced the concept of mirror neurons—brain mechanisms that allow us to empathize and “feel into” our surroundings. “Design is not just visual,” he noted. “It’s about how space makes us feel, think, and behave.”

Designing With, Not For: Community and Co-Creation

Laura Guido-Clark, founder of Love Good Color and Project Color Corps, brought the science to life through stories of transformation in underserved communities. Her nonprofit works with students to co-create vibrant, healing environments. “When we ask students how they want to feel, they say: safe, calm, happy and connected. And when they see their words and ideas reflected in the colors and murals they helped design, they feel seen.”

One powerful example is Hoover Elementary School, where a student mural sparked a ripple effect—a collaboration with Eat Learn Play and Kaboom which increased student enrollment and inspired neighbors to repaint their homes. “None of our 25 projects have ever been tagged,” she said. “They’re beloved because the community sees themselves in them.”

Bridging Practice and Research: The Designer as Scientist

Yong In, Clinical Assistant Professor at Purdue University and Creative Director at INxD Studio, emphasized the need for designers to embrace both sides of the brain. “We’re not just artists and creatives—we’re scientists shaping human experience,” she said. Her work integrates sensory design, inclusive design, and neuroscience to teach students how to design with intention.

She highlighted the “A Space for Being” exhibit by Google, Johns Hopkins University’s International Arts + Mind Lab, Reddymade, and Muuto, where visitors’ biometric responses to the aesthetics in different rooms revealed a gap between what people think they prefer and what their bodies actually respond to. “It’s a reminder that design is not just about trends or Pinterest boards,” she said. “It’s about evidence-based science, human experience, and empathy.”

Ryan Anderson, Vice President of Research & Planning with MillerKnoll built upon this idea from the work being explored across the organization’s various brands. The potential for neuroaesthetics includes demonstrating, in measurable terms, the value of good design to business leaders and financial decision-makers. He states, “Good design is a difficult concept to convey to those that don’t have a background in it.”

Neuroaesthetics and Inclusion: Designing for the Spectrum

The conversation also explored the intersection of neuroaesthetics and inclusive design. “We are all neurodiverse in some ways,” said In. “Inclusive design means designing for the full spectrum of humans, with diverse sensory sensitivities.” From lighting and acoustics to spatial orientation and color, every element of a space can either support or hinder human experience and well-being.

Guido-Clark added that children in marginalized communities often ask, “Why don’t we get nature? Why don’t we get color?” Their questions reveal a deep awareness of environmental inequity—and a desire for spaces that reflect dignity and respect.

From Philosophy to Policy: The Future of Neuroaesthetics

The panelists called for a broader application of neuroaesthetics—from design studios to public policy. “We need to embed this thinking into how we build all environments, especially for the underserved,” Guido-Clark urged. Curry echoed this sentiment, noting that as AI becomes more integrated into design, human-centered insights will become even more critical. “AI can’t feel space,” he said. “We must refine our connoisseurship of embodied experience.”

Designing for Empathy, Evidence, and Equity

Neuroaesthetics offers more than a new design trend—it offers a paradigm shift. It challenges designers to move beyond intuition and aesthetics-as-style, toward a practice rooted in empathy, science, and social impact. Quoting Ayse Birsel, In remarked, “Whatever you put at the center is what you serve. Let’s put people at the center.”

Humans don’t merely occupy space but rather experience space. Performance is expected. Companies are now challenged to convey positive beneficial customer experience as the new differentiator.

Additional Resources

Stream the Full Event

Francisco Brown, senior editor and engagement manager at Metropolis Magazine, interviews Steve Kooy, Technical Director of Health and Sustainability at BIFMA, live from the NeoCon Podcast Lounge. They discuss BIFMA’s longstanding support for the furniture manufacturing industry, the evolution of sustainability certifications, and the importance of industry standards now more than ever.

SURROUND | Apple | Spotify | Instagram | LinkedIn

This success is the result of sustained lobbying efforts by BIFMA, BIFMA members, and our contract lobbying partner, Goff Public. The exemption language ensures that critical internal parts — such as motors, electronics, lubricants, and control mechanisms — will not be subject to the PFAS ban, preserving functionality and supply chain viability for furniture products sold in Minnesota.

This further serves as precedent that can be shared as we educate other states considering similar legislation.

On a somber note, BIFMA has extended its condolences to Goff Public and our MN legislative contacts. The events over the weekend have understandably tempered the tone of recent legislative accomplishments.

The BIFMA e3 Subcommittee worked diligently for the past three years to revise this ANSI standard. The Subcommittee included a broad range of stakeholders including BIFMA members, government agencies, architects, and designers.

The revision process included a pilot review by several members followed by two association ballots and two ANSI ballots. The pilot and ballots produced numerous comments to improve the revision. The final ANSI ballot resulted in unanimous approval. The standard was then finalized and approved by the ANSI on April 21, 2025.

The group began the revision process by setting several guiding principles including:

• Simplifying the standard
• Replacing the credit-based system with minimum requirements for each tier (level),
• Maintaining alignment with key industry partners including LEED, WELL and ILFI

As a result, the revision includes the introduction of LEVEL 4, climate positive criteria, and chemical optimization criteria using a class-based approach. The standard is also designed to build from one tier to the next starting with policies and inventories, followed by assessments, and optimization. Level 1 remains an introductory step while Level 4 sets a new standard of achievement.

BIFMA would like to thank all who participated in this process. Each person’s contribution through comments or discussion, led a new and improved standard.

For information on accessing BIFMA standards please visit BIFMA's website.

Wednesday, June 11, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. CDT NeoCon Presentation Studio, FL 2

Technology & A.I. are dramatically changing what’s possible in our world. Our challenge as we create new things is to dislodge from the comfort of what we already know. Chris Barton created Shazam after being told by every “expert” that his outlandish idea was impossible. It was an idea far ahead of its time – eight years before iPhone apps even existed. In this presentation, Chris helps audiences imagine and then create new visions for the future. He inspires with jaw-dropping stories about creating Shazam and shows how innovation comes from not just an idea, but from a series of insights to overcome obstacles along the way.

Chris Barton, Founder & Creator, Shazam

Chris Barton wanted a way to identify songs anywhere he heard them. There wasn’t one – so he invented an app called Shazam. Chris’s creation is nothing short of pure magic. Chris seeks to delight people by using technology to make seemingly impossible ideas come to life. Shazam is just one of them. It changed the way the world discovers music and laid the groundwork for the consumer AI industry we know today. In addition to creating Shazam, Chris holds twelve patents and played key roles in the early days of Google and Dropbox. Chris’s newest venture, Guard, aims to use AI to detect drowning in swimming pools – a never-before accomplished effort. In his speeches, Chris’s story and storytelling completely captivate audiences. He inspires people to make big things happen in their organizations – to create magic in defiance of the obstacles.

Read more

Written By Jennifer Wammack in cooperation with Deborah Nemeth, Principal, Interior Design Discipline Leader at Smith Group, Shantel McGowan, Vice President of Design, Textiles at Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering; Andrea Nelson, Principal Designer, Colors, Materials, Finishes at Haworth; and Maggie Keilhauer, Associate Creative Director at Keilhauer. Based on a collaboration with the Association for Contract Textiles (ACT).

The relationship of material and frame are interdependent on a piece of furniture where the intersection of the two support one another to create the perfect pairing. Materials matter and here we will explore the influential role of textiles in furniture design and performance. This influence manifests through the creative process used in textile and furniture design and the resulting innovations when it is done well.

Inspiration and Creativity: Textile designers gather ideas from a number of sources. This inspiration is interpreted into reflections of current trends and customer needs. The interpretation becomes the art. Andrea Nelson emphasizes the importance of drawing inspiration for textiles from various sources such as nature, art, and culture.

Shantel McGowan further highlights the significance of design thinking methodology and collaboration with artists in different fields to create textiles that resonate with customers.

Textile Categories and Pairing: The textiles that are paired with a manufacturer’s furniture fall into three main categories.

1. Standard offering are typically proprietary textiles that are incorporated into the furniture brand’s product line. They are fully vetted to perform on their furniture.
   
2. Graded in fabrics are supplied by an outside company and have been pre-approved by the furniture brand to facilitate their use, thereby expanding customer’s choices.
   
3. COM (customer’s own material) can be supplied by a variety of outside companies and must go through a testing process to confirm the textile can be successfully upholstered on the chosen piece of furniture.
   

Understanding how these textiles work with various frames is important when selecting materials. The goal is to specify a textile that will enhance the furniture product and meet performance standards. When using coated fabrics, McGowan recommends verifying they are constructed to meet contract specifications as outlined by the Association for Contract Textiles. It is also important to purchase from a proven brand with a verifiable warranty. McGowan also stresses the importance of collaboration between textile companies and furniture manufacturers to identify solutions for unconventional pairings.

Maggie Keilhauer and McGowan both emphasize the importance of understanding textile capabilities to ensure harmony between furniture and textiles.

Deborah Nemeth brings an interior designer’s perspective appreciating the due diligence done by the manufacturer to confirm the selected fabrics are appropriate to the furniture. This results in better product performance and a positive client experience. She agrees with the importance of collaboration between designer and manufacturer especially when the desired result may push the boundaries of common textile and furniture pairings, often leading to an innovative solution.

Innovation and Technology: There is much excitement in the industry surrounding emerging technologies such as digital knitting and 3D printing, which are revolutionizing design and manufacturing processes. Keilhauer shares that 3D printing is often used in prototyping and development stages of the design process. A recent example of this was a new upholstered chair. Using 3D printing on small sections of the product addressed challenging aspects of the upholstery and verified room for the textile pattern to sit correctly.

Nelson describes the use of digital knitting as an additive manufacturing technology that eliminates the traditional concept of waste. Each knit piece is engineered to a precise size, shape, and performance specification for the frame of the chair. The textile and the piece of furniture become a truly integrated pairing.

Sustainability and Circularity: A hot topic throughout the industry, designers and customers are advocating for design for disassembly, use of sustainable materials, and extending product life to achieve a circular economy. McGowan cited the trend towards bio-based materials and incorporating these innovations into large-scale manufacturing. Nelson recommends implementing removable fasteners to facilitate repair or refurbish, reducing the glue, and using recyclable materials, natural fibers, and biodegradable content. Nelson further suggests specifying products that are designed to be used long term. Good design is timeless and can stay relevant for decades.

The industry is committed to creating a better and more sustainable future. The significance of inspiration, creativity, and innovation in textile and furniture design drives future trends for the industry including advancements in circularity, functionality, and elevating the customer experience. Nemeth emphasized the importance of collaboration and thoughtful design in creating beautiful, functional, and sustainable spaces that begin to address end of life considerations.

BIFMA continues to lead the way in promoting innovation and excellence in furniture design.

Your participation is vital to the success of the ANSI performance standards for our industry. Please consider this opportunity to work with your industry peers and contribute your thoughts toward this furniture standard.

The first revision meeting will take place in May.

You may contact Anthony Serge with questions or to volunteer. We look forward to hearing from you before December 15, 2023.

Thank you!
Anthony Serge

Your participation is vital to the success of the ANSI performance standards for our industry. Please consider this opportunity to work with your industry peers and contribute your thoughts toward this furniture standard.

The first revision meeting will take place in May.

You may contact Anthony Serge with questions or to volunteer. We look forward to hearing from you before December 15, 2023.

Thank you!
Anthony Serge

BIFMA 360 Leadership Conference

The RITZ-CARLTON
Sarasota Florida
January 22-24, 2024

Registration Now Open!

Over the past few years our industry has seen many changes. Some were caused by factors outside of our control and others very much intentional. BIFMA members have successfully navigated these changes by keeping a keen focus on the future.

The 360 Leadership Conference is an opportunity to come together and hear from business experts who share ideas to inspire BIFMA leaders in moving the industry forward. This year our theme continues to build upon the conversations we started last year. Navigating Next required us to understand where our customer markets are heading and to reach that Future First. Innovation, being the key to accomplishing this, requires a cultural mindset, organizational comfort, and individual space to experiment with new solutions.    

Join us in 2024 as we continue the conversation through Experimental Excellence.

Register by Oct 16, 2023 for Early Registration Pricing

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Our Sponsors’ generous support of the conference over the years has allowed us to elevate the program, and this year is no different.

We invite you to be an influential part of this event by becoming a 360 Conference sponsor. These opportunities include a variety of options to heighten brand awareness in front of industry leaders by highlighting your exceptional commitment to this event.

Opportunities are limited, so please act quickly. Not seeing what you are looking for? Let us know! Happy to experiment with new ideas. Contact BIFMA with any questions or suggestions. We appreciate your continued support of this must-attend event and look forward to seeing you in January 2024.

Sponsor the 360!

Happy 50th Anniversary!!!!!

Blink and there went another decade!

2023 is a year to celebrate. 50 years ago, 9 founding industry leaders came together to establish a threshold of performance that would differentiate commercial furniture manufacturers in North America: American Seating Company, Grand Rapids, MI; Eppinger Furniture, Inc., Stamford, CT; GF Business Furniture, Inc.; Youngstown, OH, Harter Corporation, Sturgis MI; Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, MI; Interroyal Corporation, New York, NY; Knoll International, Greensville, PA; Steelcase, Inc., Grand Rapids, MI; and Stow-Davis Furniture Corporation, Grand Rapids, MI.

These leaders shared a vision for the industry and the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association was formed. Today BIFMA members from around the world support the safety, performance, sustainability, and wellness standards recognized and recommended by governments to create accountability and produce quality products. BIFMA operates from a position of objective integrity on behalf of the industry in developing and maintaining standards for furnishings designed for use in office, hospitality, healthcare, and educational environments. These standards benefit all manufacturers and through specification provide customers confidence in their purchasing decisions.

In 2023, BIFMA continued work on 2 new standards supporting products that gained popularity in the past few years, revising 4 existing standards, including the internationally recognized e3 sustainability standard, and elevating 2 guidelines to standards supporting wellness. The board of directors recently approved initiatives to create a Chemical Database and Carbon Calculator to streamline increased industry reporting requirements.

In 50 years, BIFMA has become so much more than a standard writing organization. BIFMA advocates for the industry on challenges facing the industry, leans into the advancement of the industry to stay relevant, and provides educational outreach to industry stakeholders creating a greater understanding of the industry. 

This work is not easy and requires widespread participation from manufacturers and suppliers throughout North America. International manufacturers who seek to adopt North American standards for the benefit of selling into the North American market or to strategically differentiate their products in their home country benefit as well.

BIFMA invites all furniture manufacturers to join us in the work that benefits all within the industry. To our current members we thank you for your commitment to building this industry and encourage you to engage other industry leaders to do the same. For those who have taken a step back, we ask you to reclaim your role through membership to move the industry forward. And for those who are new to the industry, we invite you to join BIFMA and reap the many benefits of leading the industry through membership. This is an association of industry leaders who STAND OUT because they and their products are BUILT DIFFERENT. It has been said…. “a rising tide lifts all boats” John F Kennedy 1963

Download the Year in Review

Influenced by both the US and Japanese markets to make sustainability a product priority, Okamura sought out SCS, a third-party certifier, who worked with Okamura and traveled to their location overseas to complete the certification process.

Although there were many conceptual overlaps between LEVEL by BIFMA and Okamura’s GREEN WAVE, the structure was different. Okamura was motivated to take the time to re-configure their own process to align with the LEVEL program. There were a few challenges in adapting the intent of the criteria to regional differences. However, SCS was integral to the learning process and both companies successfully worked through the procedure.

“Okamura has a rich history in addressing the sustainability - in 1997 we developed our own sustainability criteria, GREEN WAVE, for our products, to verify various sustainable actions properly. LEVEL certification was a great option to provide more integrity and credibility to our clients, not only just as a product but also as a company. Since it assesses the company’s sustainability broadly, it helps the manufacturer to design the ESG strategy as well.” —Kensuke Yoshida, Product Manager, Okamura.

About LEVEL® by BIFMA

In 2009, BIFMA introduced LEVEL, the sustainability certification program for furniture. The LEVEL mark attests that the product, the manufacturing facility, and the company responsible for the product brand, have been evaluated against the multi-attribute criteria of the ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard by independent, third-party certifiers.

Learn how to Certify a Product

During the Furniture Summit the Engineering Committee agreed to begin work on revising ANSI/BIFMA X6.1 - 2018 Educational Seating, ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 - 2017(R2022) General-Purpose Office Chairs, and ANSI/BIFMA X5.11 - 2015(R2022) General-Purpose Large-Occupant Office Chairs.

Since all three standards share similar tests, it makes sense to start revising them at the same time. We do not have to issue all three standards at the same time, and we can spend extra time on a standard due to unique tests required by the market. 
Your participation is vital to the success of the ANSI performance standards for our industry.  Please consider this opportunity to work with your industry peers and contribute your thoughts toward one or all three furniture standards. 

You may contact Anthony Serge to volunteer for one or multiple of these revision groups. We look forward to hearing from you before November 11, 2022.  

Thank you!
Anthony Serge

Cologne, Germany

ORGATEC – NEW VISIONS OF WORK

Discover visionary concepts at ORGATEC. The impact of the pandemic and the digital transformation have further accelerated the unshackling of work from fixed places and times. Tomorrow’s office can be anywhere ... even in our heads. The future belongs to flexible knowledge workers who work creatively and independently – and it belongs to a work culture that is based more so than ever before on cooperation, motivation, and trust in the spirit of partnership.

BIFMA's Steve Kooy, Director of Health and Sustainability, will present an overview of North American regulatory and sustainability trends impacting the furniture industry. The presentation will also include a joint update by BIFMA and FEMB regarding their work to harmonize aspects of the e3/LEVEL sustainability standards in Europe and North America. Steve is excited to present at ORGATEC and to connect with BIFMA’s European members.

“BIFMA is pleased to collaborate with ORGATEC, a leading European Trade Show for workplace, business and institutional furniture discussing the future of sustainability in the furniture industry and the vision to harmonize North American and European LEVEL programs. BIFMA recognizes not only the role furniture products serve in activating the built environment and creating the human experience, but also the advancements the industry is making in environmental, social, and sustainable product innovation.” — Deirdre Jimenez, President + CEO, BIFMA.

Learn more about BIFMA’s presentation. 

About LEVEL by BIFMA

LEVEL by BIFMA is the trusted furniture sustainability certification program created to provide a comprehensive and transparent means to confidently source responsibly manufactured furniture products. It is a three part program consisting of the ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture sustainability standard, the 3rd party certification process, and the public registry of LEVEL certified products. LEVEL certification contributes to sustainable building ratings offering three performance tiers: LEVEL 1, 2, and 3.

“BIFMA is proud to have LEVEL recognized by Amazon’s climate pledge friendly program,” said Deirdre Jimenez, President and CEO of BIFMA. “LEVEL was ahead of its time when first released in 2000 as a multi-attribute certification program measuring environmental, social, and sustainable practices in the sourcing, manufacturing, and business processes that manufacturer’s embrace as they make products for the built environment. The next revision of the ANSI/BIFMA Furniture sustainability standard, which is the basis for the LEVEL certification, is due to be released by 2024 and will work well with emerging ESG expectations in manufacturing.”

For more information on the Climate Pledge Friendly program and to shop for these products visit Climate Pledge Friendly or look for the Climate Pledge Friendly badge on qualifying products.

To access all LEVEL certified products, visit LEVEL Certified Products.

About BIFMA

BIFMA is the leading non-profit furniture trade association in North America with members from around the world. Founded from the call to define uniform product standards for the industry, BIFMA has served as the voice of the commercial furniture industry since 1973 and is now the recognized source for refining, managing, and developing furniture standards that embody safety, ergonomics, health, sustainability, and performance that support buyer and specifier communities in making informed furniture selection decisions.

BIFMA further supports the industry providing market data, thought leadership, and industry outreach celebrating design and innovation in recognition of the significance furnishings play in the places we learn, work, heal, and live through product registries, sustainability certification, statistics reporting, government relations, industry promotion, education, networking, and trade development programs.

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Grand Rapids, MI –Anthony Serge, Technical Director Safety & Performance

After a yearlong search, BIFMA is pleased to announce that Anthony Serge will join the association as the Technical Director Safety & Performance. Anthony brings over fifteen years of experience in product engineering, testing, and certification. During this time, Anthony conducted ANSI/BIFMA standard testing for a variety of furniture products and actively participated on several ANSI/BIFMA standard committees, including the International Standards Organization (ISO) committee. Anthony replaces Dave Panning who held the position for the past fourteen years and announced his retirement in 2021. Dave and Anthony are planning a smooth transition.

“Anthony will be a great addition to the BIFMA team,” says Deirdre Jimenez President and CEO of BIFMA, “his industry experience and relationships, especially related to BIFMA standards, will allow him to quickly acclimate to the role. With development of the new Personal Privacy POD Standard and the Commercial Exterior Furniture Standard just kicking off, this is very important.”   

In addition to maintaining numerous ANSI/BIFMA standards, Anthony will also be responsible for the publicly available BIFMA Complaint product registry and support outreach and advocacy efforts related to industry safety and performance standards. Anthony holds a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Western Michigan University and resides in the Grand Rapids area.

About BIFMA

BIFMA is the leading non-profit furniture trade association in North America with members from around the world. Founded from the call to define uniform product standards for the industry, BIFMA has served as the voice of the commercial furniture industry since 1973 and is now the recognized source for refining, managing and developing furniture standards that embody safety, ergonomics, health, sustainability, and performance that support buyer and specifier communities in making informed furniture selection decisions.

BIFMA further supports the industry providing market data, thought leadership, and industry outreach celebrating design and innovation in recognition of the significance furnishings play in the places we learn, work, heal and live through product registries, sustainability certification, statistics reporting, government relations, industry promotion, education, networking, and trade development programs.

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Grand Rapids, MI – BIFMA, the non-profit business and institutional furniture manufacturers trade association, announced today that it has appointed Andi Barajas, a Grand Rapids resident, as its new Marketing and Communication Manager.

Andi will head marketing and communications for BIFMA. Elevating the work BIFMA and its members contribute to the furniture industry.  Andi holds a BS in Film, Video, and Media Studies from Western Michigan University’s School of Communications and brings 10 years of experience. Eight of those years with Michigan Technological University where Andi served in various roles as marketing and communications manager, digital services project manager, technical writer and produced instructional videos.

“I look forward to joining the furniture industry and supporting the variety of programs that BIFMA is developing.   The opportunity to engage with the industry at such a broad but importantly influential level will be both rewarding and meaningful.”  said Barajas. 

“Andi’s experience aligns closely with BIFMA’s efforts to broaden our outreach through education, provide resources to aid in product selection, and continue our work in maintaining the standards that guide the industry.”  said Deirdre Jimenez AIA NCIDQ, BIFMA’s President and CEO as of July 2020.    “Her skills in translating technical content into digestible information will enhance our ability to serve the broader design and customer communities who specify furniture products.   We are excited to have Andi join the team and look forward to her creative contributions in expanding BIFMA’s reach.”

About BIFMA

BIFMA is the non-profit trade association serving business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, the organization has been the industry leader in developing furniture safety, durability, and sustainability standards that establish parameters for product performance. BIFMA educates the design and customer community on the application of these standards in product selection; hosts product registries to support customer buying confidence; provide educational and thought leadership content to the industry, publishes industry statistics; produces numerous industry events, and advocates for regulatory conditions that enhance value and foster innovation.

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For nearly half a century, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association—BIFMA for short—has been the industry’s literal standard-bearer, a clearinghouse that creates and maintains measurable benchmarks for safety, durability, sustainability and wellness in furniture performance.

But what is the significance of these criteria for the average interior designer?

Aiming to address growing buyer interest in product performance and boost awareness of product standards among this critical group, the organization has prioritized outreach to designers and customers as a key objective for 2021 and beyond, beginning with two major initiatives. The mission: to counteract uncertainty and misinformation with institutional credibility and quantifiable criteria.

BIFMA Compliant is a new industry-wide registry of furniture that conforms to industry standards, but even more, a tool to help guide designers through the specification process and differentiate products that meet established criteria in categories such as seating, desks, tables, storage products, files and panel systems.

“Our newest program is an easy and readily available resource to identify furniture they know will be safe for users and will perform according to industry standards,” says BIFMA president and chief executive officer Deirdre Jimenez, AIA, NCIDQ.

Free access to the registry provides designers, customers, and the general public the ability to search product data updated monthly with current listings. Pro tip: save this BIFMA Compliant registry hyperlink as a desktop shortcut for easy access. 

Searches occur directly through the navigation bar or by selecting filters for category, subcategory, brand, or conformance status. The product pages provide direct links to product data sheets that include detailed information, contacts for customer support, and links to manufacturers’ sites. Designers can even create projects folders on the site and easily save products for future reference.

The second initiative—LEVEL by BIFMA—is also a registry. But unlike BIFMA Compliant, which confirms durability and safety, the LEVEL registry lists products that have obtained LEVEL certification. LEVEL certifies furniture to BIFMA’s multi-attribute e3 furniture sustainability standard, focusing on the product’s environmental, health and wellness, and social impacts.

First created in 2009, the registry has since been updated four times, culminating in the current revised edition, which is aligned with other major sustainability rating programs such as LEED, WELL, and Living Buildings Challenge. The e3 furniture sustainability standard behind LEVEL is accredited by the American National Standards Institute, as are all BIFMA standards, which promotes and facilitates voluntary consensus standards across multiple industries. 

LEVEL certification falls into three categories based on the number of points the product has earned—which are based on criteria from three distinct areas: the product, the manufacturing facilities, and the organization itself.

The environmental review considers the manufacturer’s energy and ecological policies, such as reducing the impact of climate change, the use of biobased and recycled content in the supply chain, and circular-economy efforts like repairing or retrofitting products

Health and wellness criteria, developed through collaboration with industry experts and stakeholders, focuses on chemical assessment and transparency to advance improvements in the furniture manufacturing process and supply chain.

Social impact is measured by assessing employee wellness and volunteer programs, disaster preparedness and community engagement, as well as examining the conduct of the manufacturer’s suppliers, including identification of high-risk companies.

“Furniture certified to LEVEL by BIFMA has been independently verified to meet a rigorous and comprehensive standard,” says Jimenez. “There is no better certification for specifying furniture that ensures health, wellness, social, and environmental stewardship from manufacturing to end of life.”

LEVEL-certified products can be easily found through a free online registry that functions like the BIFMA Compliant registry. Searches can be tailored according to brand, category, and subcategory. The LEVEL registry provides additional search filters specific to sustainability measures and rating systems (such as LEED). Product pages include direct links to detailed product data sheets, which can be saved to specific projects folders that can be created on the site. Pro tip: save this LEVEL by BIFMA registry hyperlink as a desktop shortcut for easy access.

For more information or learning opportunities about BIFMA Compliant and LEVEL by BIFMA programs, visit the BIFMA website.

Grand Rapids, MI – BIFMA International, the non-profit business and institutional furniture manufacturers trade association announces the launch of the much-anticipated BIFMA Compliant product registry.  

BIFMA Compliant is an industry-wide registry of furniture products conforming to BIFMA safety and durability standards. Compliant provides clarity to the market by differentiating products that meet established industry standards. 

With an array of options available on the market today and recognizing that individuals and organizations are now outfitting home office environments, BIFMA seeks to help all consumers make confident furniture buying decisions. The registry is a resource for both specifiers and buyers to quickly identify quality products that comply with safety and durability standards.

BIFMA, an ANSI-accredited standards developer, worked with members and stakeholders for nearly three years to develop and implement this program which is open to all furniture manufacturers who elect to participate. Access to view products in the registry is available at www.bifma.org free of charge.

“BIFMA Compliant was developed in response to a growing market need for greater clarity,” said BIFMA President and CEO Deirdre Jimenez AIA, NCIDQ. “The design community who specifies furniture and the customers who buy furniture have both expressed the need to more readily identify products they trust– products that will be safe and will perform. With the increased need to work remotely, the application of this resource is even more timely. BIFMA Compliant is available to the public, both commercial customers and residential consumers.”

“Products in the registry must be tested in an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test lab with the ANSI/BIFMA standards listed in the test lab’s Scope of Accreditation. In addition, products are subjected to test report audits,” adds BIFMA Technical Director of Safety and Performance Dave Panning. “BIFMA Compliant is a valuable resource providing the necessary information to differentiate product safety and performance.” 

The new BIFMA Compliant program complements the existing LEVEL Sustainability program and further establishes BIFMA as the resource for the furniture industry.  Both registries run on an ecomedes platform designed to optimize product purchasing.

For more information about the BIFMA Compliant program, to join or visit the registry, please visit www.bifma.org.
  

BIFMA is the non-profit trade association serving business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, the organization has been the industry leader in developing furniture safety, durability, and sustainability standards that establish parameters for product performance. BIFMA educates the community on the proper use of these standards; hosts product registries to support customer buying confidence; publishes industry statistics; and advocates for regulatory conditions that enhance value and foster innovation.

Grand Rapids, MI - The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the revisions for the safety and performance standard: ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2021, Desk and Table Products.

The BIFMA Subcommittee for Desk and Table Standards worked diligently for the past three years to revise this ANSI standard. The Subcommittee began work in 2018 with an invitation to broad industry stakeholder participation. Numerous participants worked on extensive reviews of the standard and many improvements have been achieved. However, there was special emphasis on the Stability, Leg Strength, and Height Adjustable Desk/Table Surfaces tests. Two new tests were added to X5.5. One to evaluate Unattached Top Retention, and a second new informative test to evaluate the Stability of units with monitors attached.  

Several multi-stakeholder lab workshops were held in 2018 and 2019. In 2020 the draft proposals were reviewed by the BIFMA Association and approved. In late 2020 and early 2021 the ANSI Consensus Body reviewed and unanimously approved the revisions.   

The Scope of ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2021 includes the following: “This standard provides a common basis for evaluating the safety, durability and structural performance of desk and table products intended for use in commercial office, institutional and educational environments; including retail spaces, restaurants, and cafeterias.” 

Thanks to the hard work of the BIFMA Subcommittee and diverse industry stakeholders, this national consensus standard was finalized and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on February 8, 2021. 

Copies of the new standard are available from BIFMA immediately. This and other standards may be ordered online.

BIFMA is the non-profit trade association serving business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, the organization has been the industry leader in developing furniture safety, durability, and sustainability standards that establish parameters for product performance. BIFMA educates the community on the proper use of these standards; hosts product registries to support customer buying confidence; publishes industry statistics; and
advocates for regulatory conditions that enhance value and foster innovation.

Grand Rapids, MI - The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved the new safety and  performance standard: ANSI/BIFMA X6.4-2021, Occasional-Use Seating.

The BIFMA Subcommittee for Seating Standards worked diligently for the past three years to introduce this new ANSI standard. The Subcommittee began work in 2017 and provided guidance for the 2018 publication of BIFMA X6.4-2018 Occasional-Use Seating. Demand for this standard increased in 2020 with the influx of work at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the Association sponsored development of X6.4 to become an American National Standard.

The Scope of ANSI/BIFMA X6.4-2021 includes the following: “Occasional-use seating is normally used in indoor common/shared spaces such as waiting, reception, visitor seating in patient rooms, restaurant / dining / cafeteria settings and other gathering areas. Occasional-use seating may also be used in the home environment.” This new standard defines the specific tests, laboratory equipment, conditions of test, and recommended minimum levels to be used in the testing and evaluation of the safety, durability, and structural adequacy of Occasional-Use Seating products.

Thanks to the hard work of the BIFMA Subcommittee and diverse industry stakeholders, this national consensus standard was finalized and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on January 7, 2021.

Copies of the new standard are available here for BIFMA members or here for now member companies.