Furniture BIFMA levels

Hi Sue, my understanding is that Level certification is BIFMA's rating system for furniture and Levels 1, 2, 3 correspond to ratings (like Certified, Silver, Gold in LEED). Sections 7.6.1 and 7.6.2 are like "credits" in the Level rating system that relate to VOC emissions testing.

To qualify for v4 EQc Low-emitting materials, BIFMA Level certification (in and of itself) is not enough for compliance regardless of Level 1, 2, or 3. The product must also achieve 7.6.1 and 7.6.2 "credits". According to the Third Party Certification Table, Greenguard Gold is acceptable as compliance for the Furniture Evaluation ( https://www.usgbc.org/resources/low-emitting-materials-third-party-certi...).

Our project is pursuing the Low-Emitting Materials Credit under LEED v4 for Schools. We have several questions on how to approach the furniture category under this credit.

1.            How do you determine what is “classroom furniture?” The Reference Guide has two standards listed for furniture compliance based on this designation. In order to find products that meet the correct requirement/standard, we would like to understand how we determine “classroom furniture” selection.

2.            Furniture, as defined in the “Definitions” section of the Reference Guide, must comply with ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 for compliance. However, when researching manufacturers that can provide this, our team is seeing a lot of furniture that complies with a newer version of this standard (ANSI/BFIMA e3-2014). Do newer versions of a standard meet the LEED requirements for compliance? Or does the furniture need to have a certificate with ANSI/BIFMA e3-2011 on it? It appears the marketplace has moved past the 2011 version based on our inquiries. Many manufacturers are telling us that 2011 is old and 2014 is better for LEED.

3.            Similar to question 2, when seeking VOC compliance for “classroom furniture” (see question 1), the reference standard for compliance is CDPH v1.1. Many of the manufacturers are sharing certificates with CDHP Standard Method v1.2 and mentioning again that the marketplace has progressed beyond the LEED Reference Guide year stated. Is a new version of CDPH Standard Method accepted for compliance?

Has anyone gotten an answer to question #2 above? LEED v4 references e3-2011, but the certificates available now are all e3-2014 and even moving into e3-2019. Is GBCI really requiring conformance with the old standard? That would be crazy, but it's not clear that they aren't...

e3-2014 is referenced at both links:

https://www.usgbc.org/credits/se-supply-chain

https://www.usgbc.org/credits/homes-mid-rise/v4/bdc-mr-credit-0

however c. 2013 ref guide for v4 on pg. 568 (says (by mistake i believe) e3-2010 which elsewhere reference e3-2011. 

Regarding Question #2, this is available for pursuit in LEED v4.1 (beta), which makes me think that 2 and 3 would be acceptable to submit as is, with the manufacturer documentation available. 

Kristin - This might be worth considering for your project to test out the credit substitution from LEED v4 to v4.1 as well. 

Regarding Question #1, as I understand it the furniture can include anything that is free-standing.

It is pretty troubling that LEED / USGBC / GBCI will not respond on this matter. I have a project where they are denying the LEVEL certificates and Denying the e3-2014 as being compliant. so yes it seems they want to old standard or are not aware if the New Standard covers the 7.6.1, 7.6.2 etc. We could also blame the 3rd party system and manufacturers for not understanding LEED​ requirements? The Guide clearly states that we need to see the proof of section 7.6.1, 7.6.2, 7.6.3, the ppm's the TVOC, the CDPH yet a new set of certificates has come out without being clear if these requirements are met.

i replied earlier but don't see my reply. there are two LEED webpages that reference e3-2014 one is BDC: Homes v4 and the other is for sustainable purchasing. I'll send links again. v4 2013 ref guide references e3-2011 however on one page of the ref. guide it actually says "e3-2010. "

https://www.usgbc.org/credits/homes-mid-rise/v4/bdc-mr-credit-0

https://www.usgbc.org/credits/se-supply-chain

see e3-2014 on these pgs
https://www.usgbc.org/credits/se-supply-chain
https://www.usgbc.org/credits/homes-mid-rise/v4/bdc-mr-credit-0

This helps a little bit but only if you are trying to prove that the manufacturers are not up to requirements. Manufacturers, BIFMA and Level have failed to include the fine print if you will on the certificates and verify that sections 7.6.1, 7.6.2 and or 7.6.3 have been met.

I ended up on this page accidentally, doing some other research, but thought I might be able to help with your question. I work as a lead auditor for BIFMA LEVEL Certifications for a certification body (CB) that also conducts indoor air quality testing and certification for furniture products. If you are looking specifically for information regarding 7.6.1-3, the product's IAQ Certificate would provide you with the information you need, versus the LEVEL Certificate. 

For example, this information is shown on all of our IAQ Certs, depending on what test the product has passed or been tested for:

"Indoor Air Quality Certified to SCS-EC10.3-2014 v4.0; Conforms to the ANSI/BIFMA Furniture Emissions Standard (M7.1/X7.1-2011 R2016) and ANSI/BIFMA e3 -2014e (Credits 7.6.1, 7.6.2, 7.6.3) for seating parameters. Also, conforms to the CDPH/EHLB Standard Method (CA 01350) v1.2-2017 for seating and school classroom parameters."

If you are looking at a specific product(s), it might be your best bet to reach out to the company and ask for the IAQ certificate for that product, or search their website.

BIFMA also has a database that you can select credits and find out which products have earned those points - https://level.ecomedes.com/. However, I have found that this does not go into specific detail, i.e. it shows products that meet Low Emitting requirements, but does not specify which credits 7.6.1/2/3. Also, this database may not be up to date. So again, if you have a product in mind, I would reach out to the manufacturer.

If the product is certified for LEVEL or IAQ by my company, SCS Global Services, I would be happy to provide you with more information or answer any questions you might have, including connecting you to our IAQ team for answers regarding old referenced tests.

Thank you so muchy for jumping here even though you arrived by accident. This is exactly what my problem is though. SO, you are saying a Level 1-3 product "

For example, this information is shown on all of our IAQ Certs, depending on what test the product has passed or been tested for:

"Indoor Air Quality Certified to SCS-EC10.3-2014 v4.0; Conforms to the ANSI/BIFMA Furniture Emissions Standard (M7.1/X7.1-2011 R2016) and ANSI/BIFMA e3 -2014e (Credits 7.6.1, 7.6.2, 7.6.3) for seating parameters. Also, conforms to the CDPH/EHLB Standard Method (CA 01350) v1.2-2017 for seating and school classroom parameters."????     The manufacturers are not handing out Two separate pieces of paper they are sending one that says LEVEL and has e3-2014 or higher but does not list ON the paper all the rest re: sections and CDPH, TVOC etc.   I am trying to get a CLEAR answer from someone that would know that #1 does LEVEL 1 or 2 or 3 mean the above testing was all done and the product complies?? so that I can go back to both GBCI and the manufacturers and say - A) Hey this product complies but the Manufacturer and the 3rd party are putting it on two different pieces of paper but only handing out one. B) to the Manf/3rd party - Why aren't' you putting it on one certificate?? or at least handing out both when project teams ask??? you are causing project teams to fail LEED credits or to then drop your product to pursue products that have the piece of paper with all the information on it. and C) GBCI the products are compliant and you need to award the project team and also get with 3rd parties and manufacturers to fix their two pieces of paper or one piece of paper and what needs to be written on the paper to help project teams pass or we will stop specifying your product for products that do have the corrects word on the piece of paper.

Again thank you, this is all valuable information but then to this part of your response. Projects team cannot afford to spend weeks and weeks chasing pieces of paper in 4-6 different locations on different web sites with different formats, some with log in's or memberships. We will just Not specify that product anymore, right?? Just think about how much extra work a project team is doing at a high hourly cost....
"If you are looking at a specific product(s), it might be your best bet to reach out to the company and ask for the IAQ certificate for that product, or search their website.
BIFMA also has a database that you can select credits and find out which products have earned those points - https://level.ecomedes.com/. However, I have found that this does not go into specific detail, i.e. it shows products that meet Low Emitting requirements, but does not specify which credits 7.6.1/2/3. Also, this database may not be up to date. So again, if you have a product in mind, I would reach out to the manufacturer." ALL great information and mostly true but I have spent weeks and weeks and weeks searching and downloading and emailing and calling and often the paper on the manufacturers web site that says it passes LEED is often LEED v2009, or the papers that were downloaded and submitted to GBCI and were rejected as I mentioned are not stating all the information needed, sometimes the "LEED v4 Complaint" downloads actually check boxes showing they do not comply. I am assuming filled out wrong by the company. Project teams wasting dozens of hours for bad documents when the products probably Do comply.

Companies who have LEVEL Certified products can request a LEVEL Scorecard from the certification body, typically at an additional cost. The Scorecard does detail the points that were approved for certification. It is typically rare that companies elect to purchase this service.

Achieving LEVEL 1,2,3 does not provide any level of assurance that points were approved for credits 7.6.1-3 in the BIFMA e3-2014e Standard. The levels are based on the total number of points approved and the number of product points approved.

In the new version the ANSI/BIFMA e3 standard (e3-2019), just released last month, 7.6.1 is a prerequisite (testing completed according to ANSI/BIFMA X7.1), any product certified to the e3-2019 standard will have passed testing according to credit 7.6.1 requirements. Still, there is no assurance that any level of certification (1,2,3) demonstrates that the product will have been approved for points under 7.6.2 or 7.6.3.

Where you might find a reference to older versions of the BIFMA e3 standard (2010, 2011, 2014...), credits 7.6.1-3 have not reduced their criteria for testing but may have expanded on them to comply with any new requirements. So if you are looking at meeting requirements that reference older versions (2010/2011) of the standard, newer versions (2014/2019) should meet those criteria as well.  

All SCS Indoor Advantage certificates will call out which tests have been passed and which BIFMA e3 credits apply. You can search for certified products and view certificates in our database here - https://www.scsglobalservices.com/certified-green-products-guide 

You can also find GG certificates on the UL Spot website.

If you are looking for information specifically regarding indoor air quality testing from the manufacturer, I recommend you ask for the IAQ Certificate and not the LEVEL Certificate.

Hope this is helpful in some way.

Amazing concise and thorough thank you TERA!!!!

To further muddle the query, I received a response back from the GBCI last week indicating that the SCS & GreenGuard Gold certificates are not valid without the exposure scenario listed.

Is there a way to know which exposure scenario was used based on the compliance information listed at the bottom of the certificate such as "Conforms to the ANSI/BIFMA e3-2014e Furniture Sustainability Standard" or "Products tested in accordance with UL 2821 test method to show compliance to emission limits in UL 2818, Section 7.1"

USGBC / GBCI need to fix this immediately. The pain and suffering is all placed on the client while GBCI, Third Party Certifiers and the Manufacturers can't seem to communicate and get the documentation properly constructed. GBCI, Third Party Certifiers and the Manufacturers the suppliers of the documentation project teams are failing with need to step into a room and work this out. They are the one's that eventually make money or will lose money if they do not fix this.

Project will stop specifying their products and maybe just stop pursing LEED.

USGBC/GBCI letting this continue is a huge disservice to their clients (the Project teams). Does USGBC/GBCI not understand or not care about the thousands and thousands of dollars they cost project teams and their clients because of issues with what should be listed on the paperwork that project teams have No Power Over??

Leanne, to hopefully answer your question, all SCS IAQ certificates should disclose the modeling scenario that the product was tested for. Here is an example of the language used on our certificates, I have made bold the modeling scenario information - 

"Indoor Advantage™ Gold
Indoor Air Quality Certified to SCS-EC10.3-2014 v4.0

Conforms to the ANSI/BIFMA Furniture Emissions Standard (M7.1/X7.1-2011 R2016) and ANSI/BIFMA e3-2014e (Credits 7.6.1, 7.6.2, 7.6.3) for the open plan and private office workstation parameters. Also, conforms to the CDPH/EHLB Standard Method (CA 01350) v1.2-2017 for the open plan parameters."

Hope this helps!

Tera - thanks for the response. Should is the key word here. I do have SCS certificates that do not indicate the exposure scenario.  Here is the verbiage

"The product(s) meet(s) all of the necessary qualifications to be certified for the following claim(s): 
level® 2
Conforms to the ANSI/BIFM e3-2014e Furniture Sustainability Standards"

Leanne, I could be wrong, but it sounds like the certificate you are looking at is a LEVEL Certificate not an Indoor Advantage (IAQ) Certificate. The IAQ Certificate for the product should list the test method (ANSI/BIFMA X7/M7, CDPH), modeling scenario (open plan/private office), and disclose which BIFMA e3/LEVEL credits (7.6.1-3) apply. 

Hello Leanne, Tera is right on. The issue, Tera and Leanne is that many of the NEW Level certificates Do Not contain all that information and even though the products were tested ad are compliant the paperwork / certificate does not show that. I spoke with BIFMA (they run LEVEL) and they are on the phone with USGBC / GBCI about what they need to do to revise their paperwork to show compliance. So you may not be able to get a compliant certificate for a number of products that are actually compliant... 

The wonderful thing about this is tha​t the Client, you and your client and the project team suffer not the parties making the mistakes or the system requiring the fine print and amount of detail.

Thank you all for this thread! The SCS product guide link saved me a lot of time and a 2nd round of submittals. I was able to do a quick search of the SCS product guide and found that the Davis seating we had a Level certificate for does meet SCS Indoor Advantage Gold-Furniture, which is also an approved 3rd party certification. However, the fact that the information on credit 7.6.1 and 7.6.2 that is required for LEED compliance is not by default listed on the Level certificate feels a bit misleading, given that Level is listed as acceptable on the 3rd Party LEM table from the USGBC. It does say "if 7.6.1 or 7.6.2 achieved", however an updated 3rd party table would certainly be helpful, given the potential for confusion and the fact that the industry has moved on from e3-2011.

Has USGBC clarified which editions of BIFMA e3 standard apply?  All three (2011, 2014, and 2019 update)?  Just up to 2014? 
Our experience with "green" and "healthy" product standards has been that they become stricter rather than more lenient with each iteration.  Therefore an item compliant with a later edition is usually (but not always) compliant with the edition referenced by USGBC.
This issue is obviously relevant to other key standards cited in LEED.

this link shows the 2014 standard is acceptable per following:

https://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/100002052

Created on April 5, 2016

Name : Building product disclosure and optimization - material ingredients

Add a new bullet under the Cradle to Cradle bullet that reads:

• ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard. The documentation from the assessor or scorecard from BIFMA must demonstrate the product earned at least 3 points under 7.5.1.3 Advanced Level in e3-2014 or 3 points under 7.4.1.3 Advanced Level in e3-2012.

e3-2014 is also in the v4 pilot credit below:

https://www.usgbc.org/credits/new-construction-core-and-shell-schools-new-construction-retail-new-construction-healthc-112

But I see this older article indicating Level meets LEED & now am confused:

https://www.bifma.org/news/128125/level-Certified-Furniture-Products-May-Contribute-Towards-Qualifying-for-LEED-Points-in-Pilot-Credit.htm

as someone above said:

"I have a project where they are denying the LEVEL certificates and Denying the e3-2014 as being compliant."

Between LEED v4 and v4.1, for various building types, one can find in USGBC guidance documents references to BIFMA e3 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014 editions.  But not yet to 2019 edition.  I'm sure this continues to be very frustrating to folks seeking certification.  Some closure on this compliance issue would be very helpful.

The addendum and credit noted above apply to MR BPDO credits rather than EQc2 LEM.  I have just found update on BIFMA compliance in Addendum https://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10495 from October 2019 which approves BIFMA e3-2011 and 2012, 7.6.1 for 50% credit, 7.6.2 for 100%. But the 3rd party Certifications Table does not include that information even today, and still states as of "7/30/2019 added Benchmark VOC Green Building Product for general emissions evaluation, composite wood evaluation, and furniture evaluation criteria clarified BIFMA level 2011 or later is acceptable and fixed link for CARB website." So I'm assuming the Addenda takes precedence, but the USGBC really needs to update the 3rd Party Table!