Product certifications

Why certifications matter when you buy.

Many of our products are backed by recognised testing for quality, durability, and indoor air quality. This page explains what each certification means — so you can shop with more confidence.

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What each certification helps tell you

Each standard answers a slightly different question. Some focus on mechanical performance, some on emissions, and some on independent verification.

Durability and safety

AFRDI and BIFMA are the strongest signals when you want confidence a product will hold up to everyday office use.

Indoor air quality

GREENGUARD Gold is the key signal when low chemical emissions and healthier indoor air matter to you.

Independent verification

SGS is useful when a product or process has been independently inspected or certified against a defined requirement.

Certification breakdown

A practical overview of the main certifications you’ll see on office furniture product pages.

Australian independent testing

AFRDI

AFRDI is one of the most recognisable furniture testing bodies in Australia and New Zealand, with certification built around independent performance testing.

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What it means

AFRDI certification is awarded to specific product models after representative samples have been tested against defined performance criteria.

For office swivel chairs, AFRDI certification is commonly linked to the AS/NZS 4438 standard, which is widely used across Australia and New Zealand.

When you see an AFRDI mark on a product, it signals an independently assessed benchmark rather than a supplier-only claim.

Why it matters when buying

Helps verify strength, durability, stability, and safety for everyday office use.
Commonly seen on office chairs, desks, workstations, and storage.
Useful when comparing products meant for real workdays — not light, occasional use.

AFRDI Levels

AFRDI chair levels help indicate how demanding the intended use is. Level 6 is generally used for heavier daily wear and is a strong signal when you want seating built for busy offices.

Low chemical emissions

GREENGUARD Gold

GREENGUARD Gold focuses on indoor air quality, identifying products with low chemical emissions for healthier interior environments.

View UL GREENGUARD

What it means

GREENGUARD Gold is administered by UL Solutions and is designed to identify products that meet strict limits for chemical emissions.

It is the more stringent tier of the GREENGUARD program and is often chosen when low-emitting products matter for the people who use the space.

This certification is especially relevant for interior products that spend years indoors, where ongoing emissions can matter.

Why it matters when buying

Supports better indoor air quality in home offices, workplaces, meeting rooms, and shared spaces.
Helpful if you care about healthier materials or clearer sustainability choices.
Adds confidence when weighing finishes, foams, fabrics, and other materials used indoors.

Why Gold matters

Compared with baseline GREENGUARD certification, the Gold tier uses tighter thresholds intended for more sensitive indoor environments, making it a stronger signal if air quality is a priority for you.

Furniture performance standards

BIFMA

BIFMA develops widely used safety, durability, and performance standards for workplace and institutional furniture.

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What it means

BIFMA is an industry body whose standards are developed through an ANSI-accredited process, giving manufacturers and buyers a common baseline for evaluation.

These standards define test methods and minimum acceptance criteria for products used in workplaces and institutional settings.

In practice, BIFMA alignment is one of the most common reference points for office furniture in global supply chains.

Why it matters when buying

Gives a recognised way to judge structure, safety, and performance.
Often referenced across seating, tables, storage, and other office furniture.
Helpful when you want a clearer quality benchmark than marketing claims alone.

Important note

BIFMA is best thought of as a standards framework. It helps you compare whether a product range has been engineered and tested for the kind of daily use offices actually need.

Independent inspection and certification

SGS

SGS is a global testing, inspection, and certification company used to verify that products, systems, or services meet applicable quality, safety, or regulatory requirements.

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What it means

Unlike category-specific marks such as AFRDI or GREENGUARD, SGS often acts as the third-party organisation performing testing, inspection, auditing, and certification against a broad range of standards.

That makes SGS relevant across many product and compliance pathways, depending on what standard or claim is being validated.

For shoppers, the practical value is independent verification from one of the most established names in testing and certification.

Why it matters when buying

Adds third-party checking beyond a supplier's own paperwork.
Can support quality assurance and compliance needs where they apply.
Useful when you want confidence that claims have been independently reviewed.

How to read SGS

SGS is usually not a single furniture-only standard. Instead, it indicates that a product or process has been independently checked against a specific quality, safety, or compliance requirement.