MUSCATINE, IA – Every chair, workstation, storage unit and table in the current Allsteel portfolio of products has been awarded BIFMA level™ 2 certification, the second highest ranking accorded by the industry organization.
Allsteel had something of a head start on this sustainability benchmark: In 2008, it was among five companies who were the first to achieve SCS Sustainable Choice Gold, the original BIFMA standard prior to level. At that time, Allsteel earned the certification for all of its workstation products.
“Allsteel’s determination to design and manufacture workplace solutions that move us toward sustainability has been relentless, and we are proud to have attained the level 2 certifications on everything in the line. It’s historic and a gratifying experience to see our hard work pay off for the benefit of the environment and our customers,” says Jim Cahill, vice president product development.
In establishing level third-party certification in 2009, BIFMA’s goal was to help drive the industry to integrate sustainability into all aspects of its business practices, from the supply chain to the product’s eventual recycling and from the board room to the loading dock. The criteria for the certification are defined by the BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard, which provides direction to manufacturers in the areas of materials, energy and atmosphere, human and ecosystem health, and corporate social responsibility.
The comprehensive and rigorous nature of the level 2 accreditation makes the achievement for Allsteel’s major product lines all the more impressive. In addition to the individual products, the supply chain, manufacturing site, and corporation also were assessed. The BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard was developed with cross functional representatives from academia, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations, as well as from the industry, and the drafts of their work were published for public review and comment on the web, making the process transparent.
In learning of the latest level 2 certification outcomes just days before NeoCon, Cahill noted, “The timing for this certification couldn’t be better. We’ll have the opportunity to communicate it to many of our customers in person.”
About Allsteel Inc.
Allsteel Inc., which is headquartered in Muscatine, IA, designs, builds and delivers workplace furniture solutions. The company holds firm to a belief that there’s always a better way to improve efficiency and foster teamwork … another possibility to find solutions that increase the bottom line and deliver long-term value … a new opportunity to help a business be more effective. Allsteel has distinguished itself with award-winning products such as Acuity seating, Align workstations, Merge conferencing tables, and Stride, its latest workplace solution that’s designed to evolve with the needs of a business. Allsteel was the first office contract furniture manufacturer to have all products certified either Indoor Advantage or Indoor Advantage Gold, and the majority of the line can contribute to LEED-CI credits. The company has Resource Centers in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Washington, D.C., and Toronto, ON. For additional information, visit www.allsteeloffice.com.
About BIFMA
BIFMA is a not-for-profit organization that provides an effective forum for members to cooperate and collaborate on appropriate industry issues. As an ANSI-accredited standards developer, BIFMA develops voluntary product and industry standards that support safe, healthy and sustainable work environments. BIFMA also publishes key industry statistics; advocates for legislation and government regulation that have a direct impact on the health of the industry; and facilitates meaningful dialogue and education to support its core services and the industry. Visit www.bifma.org to learn more.