CHICAGO – The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) has collaborated with NSF International to develop an environmental impact Product Category Rule (PCR) for the seating industry.

NFS said this seating PCR provides a science-based and internationally recognized method for reporting the environmental impact of seating products throughout their entire life cycle, from cradle to grave.

Seating companies choosing to participate in the program will use the PCR to develop an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The EPD functions like a nutrition label to explain the data generated from a life cycle assessment.

“We are pleased to partner with NSF International in developing PCRs for the seating industry. NSF is an expert in developing rigorous and science-based PCRs that will help move the industry toward a more sustainable future,” said Thomas Reardon, executive director of BIFMA. “These seating PCRs are the first in a series that will be developed for commercial furniture products.”

“The development of Product Category Rules for seating products helps to meet the increasing demand for transparency in environmental claims,” said Tom Bruursema, general manager of NSF International’s Sustainability division.