BIFMA Certification | Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association’s
What is BIFMA Certification?
To retain your office furniture year after year without any wear and tear obtain BIFMA Certification for your organization to increase the shelf life of your furniture.
BIFMA Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association established in 1973, is the not-for-profit trade association developed by a joint committee of BIFMA by Unison process described by AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD INSTITUTE (ANSI). BIFMA Certification is a voluntary standard for business and institutional furniture manufacturers to administer and develop the furniture industry. It is generally engaged to lead, design, develop, advocate, advise and create models for the office and institutional furniture industry. The dependability and durability of office furniture keep offices running. BIFMA Certification addresses many things like Safety, Sustainability and social responsibility, Durability and strength, Recyclability and recycled content, Chemical content and emissions, Reliability, Overall quality, Flammability, electrical components, Material, and energy efficiency, environmentally conscious design, Waste and water management.
Now, BIFMA certification is accepted as the parameter of furniture quality & safety that gives an effectual forum to achieve greater sustainability attributes. Manufacturers who receive the level certification mark are verifying that their policies and guidelines of providing the furniture world apply to BIFMA plans. A voluntary standardization of sustainable furniture and components are meeting the stringent requirements of the BIFMA standard. Organizations can choose the level of standard of BIFMA. By making a consistent improvement on their product an organization can also move their product to a higher level of conformance. BIFMA establishes certain furniture marks on the specific scale
- Materials
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Human and Ecosystem Health
- Social Responsibility
Benefits of BIFMA Certification
A high-quality and carefully tested furniture
Increases productivity
Promote a healthy work environment
Decreases work-related injuries
Cheap rate with best services
Internationally approved
Who can be certified BIFMA Certification?
Only products carrying the LEVEL name have been assessed by an independent third-party auditing firm accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Seating
Tables
Casegoods
Systems
Accessories
Architectural Products
Document required for BIFMA Certification
- Technical File, Product Master File (TCF)
- Product Testing
- System Manual
- System Procedure
- Policy
- Objectives
- Mission & Vision
- Plant Master File
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
- Checklist
- Forms
- Formats
- Records
The extent of Documented Information differs as per:
- Product and it's uses
- Testing requirement of products
- Directive in which product classified
- Self Certification or Compliance Certification
- Notify body Certificate
Role of Shamkris and Process of BIFMA Certification
Shamkris adopts a results-oriented approach to compliance product certification, A simple & practical method of product certification organization in timely compliance and fulfills the product certification requirement. Shamkris support 100% on documentation required to comply with product certification either by self-certification or notify body certification to depend on directives.
The implementation process is described below:
Time Frame
Task
Process
Day 1
Scope defined
Self Certification/NoBo
Selection
Cost Estimates
- Finding directive and EN standard applicable to the product
- Selecting the appropriate certification scheme
- Based on the scope of the product and certification scheme
Week 1
Developing Documents
- Technical file, Plant Master file and Test Protocol
- Management System Manual, Management System Procedures, Policy, Objectives, Forms etc.
- Review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
Week 4
Implementing Product Management System
- BIFMA Awareness training to QC manager and Production Manager
- Implementing a well-documented manual throughout the life cycle of the product
Week 8
Internal Audit
MRM
CAPA
- Internal audits identifying nonconformities related to BIFMA requirements
- Management Review Meetings
- Corrective and Preventive Action plan for nonconformities
Week 10
Self Certification/NoBo
Audit
N-C Closing
- Shamkris acts on your behalf and assists you in the third-party audit
- Closing of any nonconformities identified by the Self Certification/NoBo
Week 12
Self Certification/NoBo
- BIFMA certificates issued for years
- Surveillance Audits yearly
Year on Year
Yearly Compliance
- Support of Yearly documentation for audit
FAQ
Organizations with BIFMA Certification have gained the sustainability of their furniture for years and years by providing safety, durability, reliability, overall quality, flammability, and environmentally-conscious design and reduction in waste and water management.
ANSI/BIFMA put in place common standards for the industry and institutional furniture including Desk and table products meant for use in a commercial office environment. Testing facilities that the products comply with BIFMA protocols.
The cost of a BIFMA Certificate depends on the size of an organization and the type of products your organization wants to use.
The products are bifurcated into multiple levels of criteria of achievement and performance for manufacturers at different stages of their sustainability journey.