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BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) are organisations that play essential roles in establishing standards and guidelines within the furniture industry, particularly office furniture and equipment.

BIFMA (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association)

BIFMA is a trade association representing the business and institutional furniture industry in North America. It develops industry standards, advocates for regulatory conditions that foster value and innovation, and provides educational resources. BIFMA standards cover various aspects of furniture, including durability, safety, sustainability, and ergonomic design. Manufacturers use BIFMA standards as benchmarks to ensure that their products meet quality and safety requirements. BIFMA standards often focus on areas such as seating, desks, tables, storage units, and other office furniture.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

ANSI is a private, non-profit organisation that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for various industries in the United States. ANSI facilitates the creation of standards through collaboration among industry stakeholders, experts, and representatives from government agencies. These standards cover a wide range of products, services, processes, and systems, ensuring safety, performance, and quality across different sectors. ANSI does not develop standards directly but accredits organisations (like BIFMA) that develop these standards following a rigorous consensus-based process.

Both BIFMA and ANSI work to establish guidelines and standards that promote quality, safety, and performance in the furniture industry. Manufacturers adhering to these standards can assure customers that their products meet established criteria for durability, safety, ergonomics, and environmental sustainability.

For consumers and businesses purchasing office furniture, compliance with BIFMA standards and ANSI accreditation indicates that the products have been designed and manufactured according to established industry benchmarks, ensuring a certain level of quality and safety.