Ergohuman Chair Certification

At Ergohuman, Chair Certification is taken very seriously. Comfort and safety are core principles in the development and design of the range Ergohuman Office Chairs. 

The new Ergohuman 2 Office Chair range has been certified under the latest European BS/EN standards and the American ANSI/BIFMA standards.

The selection of an Office Chair should as a prerequisite be certified under the updated EN 1335-1:2020 dimensional standards and EN 1335-2:2018 for safety standards. The updated standard tests the chairs against the latest requirements including the use of visual display equipment. This standard uses measurement methods defines in ‘ISO 24496:2021 Office furniture – Office chairs – Methods for the determination of dimensions.

What are the benefits of EN 1335 compliance:

1. Dimensional requirements of EN-1335 

The Dimensional requirements of EN-1335 are designed to ensure that the chairs meet the ergonomic requirements to support your seating posture correctly. Under the standard the Chair must be suitable for 95% of the European population based on anthropometric data (range of body shapes and sizes in the population).

2. Comfort requirements of EN-1335 

The Comfort requirements of EN-1335 require that the Chairs are equipped with a range of adjustments that allow the User to customise the seat to their own needs and preferences. These include seat height, backrest tilt, and lumbar support.

3. Safety requirements of EN-1335 

The Safety requirements of EN-1335 certify that the Chairs meet safety standards for stability, strength, and durability. The Chair goes through a series of tests to ensure that the risk of accidents or injury to Users is minimised. The base standard covers use up to 8 hours per day and bodyweights up to 110kg. There are addition certification standards for 24 hour use and bodyweights up to 159kg that are explained below.

4. Quality of Materials

The Quality of Materials are tested under EN-1335 to ensure that they are of a high quality and are durable. These tests certify that the Chairs can maintain their performance under intense use over an extended time without premature failure or breakages. 

5. Compliance to EN 1335 

Compliance to EN 1335 signals to Companies and Users a commitment to occupational health and safety. An Ergohuman Chair signals a commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of employees.

6. Reducing Risk

Reducing Risk. Sitting for long periods is not good for our health but is a fact of modern working conditions. A well designed Chair that complies with EN-1335 can mitigate problems such as back pain, neck pain, stiffness, muscle tension and poor blood circulation. Proper seating posture and support is positive for health and productivity.

When selecting an ergonomic office chair, a Chair that complies with EN 1335-1:2020 and -2:2018 dimensional, performance and safety requirements should be a minimum standard.  Chairs that complied with earlier EN 1335-1 standards may not comply with the updated EN 1335-1:2020 requirements.

The ANSI-BIFMA standards are intended to provide Users and Purchasers a common basis for evaluating the safety, durability and adequacy of general-purpose Office Chairs.

The Certification process involves up to 20 tests for strength, stability and durability of all the major components of the Chair. These tests include:

 Strength tests:

1. Backrest
2. Castor wheels
3. Wheel base
4. Arm rest vertical strength
5. Arm rest horizontal strength
6. Drop test

Durability under multiple cycles to simulate real world conditions

1. Swivel test
2. Mechanism operation
3. Backrest recline
4. Arm rest operation
5. Seat impact centre
6. Seating load centre
7. Seating impact front corners
8. Seating load front corners 

Stability

1. Rear stability
2. Front stability

These tests are based on covering bodyweights for the 95^th percentage of males of 125kg and on a ten year product life of single shift use.  They do not cover 24 hour use or bodyweights above 125kg.

Heavy Duty Certification

BS 5459- 2:2000+A2:2008

The Ergohuman 2 range of Chairs have been designed to exceed these standards and are tested and certified under BS 5459-2:2000+A2:2008. 

Most Chairs on the market do not meet these standards unless specifically stated. These include type approval tests for individual components.

BS 5459-2 specifies performance requirements and test methods for the structural safety and stability of office pedestal seating when used by persons weighing up to 150 kg, or when used for up to 24 hours a day.

BS 5459-2:2008 is concerned with the specification of performance requirements for the structural safety of office seating when used by persons weighing more than 110 kg, or when used for more than 8 hours a day.

These standards provide the confidence that an Ergohuman 2 Chair will perform in a heavy use commercial environment. 

For the individual User this certification provides the confidence that an Ergohuman 2 Chair will be durable and reliable.

Greenguard Certification

Greenguard Gold has even stricter criteria for meeting standards for sensitive individuals such as children and the elderly and is a requirement in some jurisdictions for Childcare, schools and medical facilities

Greenguard Gold certification should be a prerequisite for selecting an Office Chair for your Home or Office.

All Ergohuman Chairs are certified to Greenguard Gold standard with the lowest level of VOC emissions.

Why is this important? It gives you peace of mind that your Ergohuman Chair is contributing the lowest possible level of VOC emissions in your work space whether that be in your office or home.

Ergohuman Chair Certification Summary

Meeting the latest certification standards is an important factor in selecting an Office Chair for your home or office. An Ergohuman Chair meets all the important and latest standards for an ergonomic office chair.