Essential Office Furniture Standards Standards play a vital role in creating a safe, high-quality working environment. They promote employee wellbeing and support productivity by ensuring that products are fit for purpose. Adhering to recognised standards also helps strengthen a company’s reputation — both internally and with its customers and clients. Meeting legal requirements is essential, but complying with the law represents only the minimum standard. British Standards, developed by industry experts, go beyond these legal basics. They contribute to the creation of safer, higher-performing, and more reliable products, while also reducing the risk of workplace accidents and damage. Additionally, standards provide a solid framework for quality assurance, enabling businesses to consistently deliver durable and trustworthy outcomes. At Flexiform, a key component of our product development strategy is securing relevant, recognised British Standards. These standards serve as a clear mark of quality, ensuring that we supply dependable products to our clients. They also help establish accountability across the entire supply chain, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality design and manufacturing. Working to British Standards increases trust and confidence in our portfolio, demonstrating our dedication to excellence and continuous improvement. The British Standards Institution (BSI) is the UK’s national standards body. BSI develops technical standards across a wide range of products and services and provides certification services that support businesses and professionals in achieving compliance and excellence. This document is an overview of some of the standards required within a normal workplace or for products supplied into the workplace. Space Planning Standards, Regulations and Guidelines (Best Practice) Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 The overarching law covering workplace safety. Requires employers to ensure a safe working environment Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Covers ventilation, lighting, temperature, space, cleanliness, and sanitation. Minimum of 11 cubic metres per person (as a guide) Sufficient lighting, ideally natural. Adequate temperature (typically 16°C minimum for sedentary work). The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 Applies if workers use computers regularly. Requires: Workstation assessments. Adjustable chairs, screen position, footrests, etc. Breaks or changes in activity. Building Regulations (Approved Documents A–R) Applies if you’re refurbishing or altering a building. Covers: Structural safety. Fire safety (Approved Document B). Accessibility (Approved Document M). Energy efficiency (Approved Document L). The Equality Act 2010 Requires that office design is accessible to all, including people with disabilities. Relevant for entrances, corridors, desk heights, toilets, etc. BS EN ISO 9241 – Ergonomics of human-system interaction Widely used for ergonomic office design, especially with DSE (Display Screen Equipment). Includes monitor height, chair design, lighting and posture. BS 8300-2:2018 – Design of accessible and inclusive buildings Minimum clear space around desks for wheelchair access. Turning circles (typically 1500mm diameter for wheelchairs). Doorway widths, approach zones to furniture. Supports compliance with the Equality Act. BS EN 527-1:2011 – Office furniture: Work tables and desks Includes standard desk heights, dimensions and legroom. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) A framework for sustainable building design. Encourages energy efficiency, low-carbon materials, wellbeing, and biodiversity. HSE Office Design Guide(from the Health & Safety Executive) ACAS GuidanceGood practice in workplace layouts and facilities. WELL Building StandardFocus on employee wellbeing, air, light, comfort, and nourishment. International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) ISO certifications are globally recognised credentials that validate a company’s adherence to specific standards for quality, environmental management, information security etc. These standards, help businesses improve processes, manage risks, and demonstrate their commitment to excellence. ISO 9001Focuses on quality management systems, helping organisations improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction. ISO 14001Centres on environmental management systems, enabling businesses to minimise their environmental impact, comply with regulations, and improve their environmental performance. ISO 27001Addresses information security management systems, helping organisations protect sensitive information and manage risks related to data breaches. ISO 45001Deals with occupational health and safety management systems, ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for employees. ISO 22301|Focuses on business continuity management, helping organisations prepare for and recover from disruptive events. ISO 9241-5:1999Specifies ergonomic guiding principles which apply to the user requirements, design, and procurement of workstation equipment for office tasks using visual display terminals (VDTs) ISO 7724-2:1984 – withdrawn Conformité Européenne (CE) The CE mark shows that the manufacturer has checked their products meet EU safety, health or environmental requirements. It is an indicator of a product’s compliance with EU legislation and allows the free movement of products within the European market. CE marking does not mean that a product was made in the EEA, but shows that the product meets all the relevant EU requirements and has been assessed as such before being placed on the market. It means the product satisfies the legislative requirements to be sold there. From 1 January 2021, the UKCA mark will start to replace the CE mark for goods sold within Great Britain. The CE mark will continue to be required for goods sold in Northern Ireland. Units already in the supply chain at the time the new rules come into effect can continue to be sold under the old rules. Equality Act The Equality Act 2010 is a UK law that protects individuals from discrimination and promotes equality in the workplace and in wider society. It consolidates and simplifies previous anti-discrimination laws, creating a single legal framework. The Act covers nine protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Although all are relevant to working practice the section, Reasonable Adjustments requires employers and service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. Seating standards EN 1335 Parts 1 & 2 or BS 5459 2:2000 & A2:2008Office work chair – an office work chair will rotate, have height adjustment and a back rest. BS EN1335-1 (Office furniture. Office work chair dimensions. Determination of dimensions).This standard applies to office work chairs and specifies the dimensions of three types of office chairs as well as the test methods for determining these dimensions. These three types of office chair are: Type A, fully ergonomic, Type B, standard chair, and Type C, Management Chair (with thicker upholstery). BS EN1335-2 (Office furniture. Office work chair safety requirements).This standard covers the safety, strength and durability requirements for office work chairs. These requirements are calculated based on an office chair being used for 8 hours per day by an individual weighing up to 110kg. BS 5459 2:2000 & A2:2008This standard is the specification for performance requirements and tests for office furniture – office pedestal seating for use by persons weighing up to 150kg and for use up to 24 hours a day, including type approval tests for individual components. BS EN 16139:2025This test is for safety, strength, durability and safety requirements for non-domestic seating for adults with a maximum weight of 110 kg. EN 1729-1:2015 & EN1729-2Seating for Educational use – chairs for pupils, not teachers. EN 12520:2015Domestic Seating – includes sofas. EN 12727:2016Ranked seating intended to be fixed to the floor – includes theatre seats. BS EN 581-1:2017This is the first part of the BS EN 581 series of standards that focuses on the general safety requirements for outdoor seating and tables for camping, domestic, and contract for use by adults, without regard to materials, design/construction, or manufacturing processes. It does not apply to seating for spectator facilities. Nor does not include requirements for the durability of upholstery materials, castors, reclining and tilting mechanisms, and seat height adjustment mechanisms. BS EN 581-2-2017This European Standard specifies the minimum requirements for the safety, strength and durability of all types of outdoor seating, domestic & contract use for adults, without regard to materials, design/construction or manufacturing processes. The test is based on use by persons weighing up to 110kg It does not apply to street furniture. It does not apply to removable upholstery and covering. Part 2: Mechanical safety requirements and test methods for seating. BS EN 581-3:2017This European Standard specifies the minimum requirements for the safety, strength and durability of all types of outdoor seating, domestic & contract use for adults, without regard to materials, design/construction or manufacturing processes Part 3: Mechanical safety requirements for tables. Fire Safety, Electrics, Work Tables & Desk Standards BS476A Class 0 rating is part of the UK Building Regulations for fire safety within and around buildings, covering material such as wood and wood based wall coveralls and internal linings. A Class ) material munch only achieve a class 1 classification for spread of flame but also BD 476 (part 6) Fire Propagation Test, which measures the amount of heat released. BS476 including the classification of Class 0 and Classes 1-4, is not a standard that is designed to include contract furniture BS 6396:2022 Electrical systems in furnitureThis is the British standard covering he installation of electrical systems in all furniture except special purpose workstations in laboratories or workshops. It defines in detail the requirements for the safe us of electrical power sockets (up to 250V), supplied from either the fixed mains wiring via a 13A fused plus or from batteries at a nominal voltage not exceeding 48Vd.c. It also covers area such as cable management and the segregation of power and data cables. Note any power distribution systems that are connected to the building installation by anything other than a 13A BS1363 plug, or a supply derived from batteries installed within the furniture should follow the requirements of BS7671. BS EN 527-1:2011 – part 1This European Standard specifies dimensions of worktables and desks for office tasks to be undertaken in a seated, a sit stand or standing position. It has dimensional requirements for four types of desks/tables; fully adjustable, height selectable, fixed height as well as a type where only very limited adjustability is provided. It includes neither dimensions for storage unit nor those for other tables in the office area or reception desks. BS EN 527-2:2016 + A1:2019This standard specifies the safety, strength, and durability requirements of worktables and desks for office tasks and does not apply to other tables in the office area. It helps quality control departments, furniture manufactures and end user’s safe workstation setup and seeks to prevent injuries that will reduce the risk of employees suffering from ill health and to keep employees’ body posture in a neutral position to reduce pain and strain. It provides the strength and durability characteristics test, to help ensure that their products maintain their integrity. BS EN 527-3:2003This standard outlines the test procedures for assessing the stability and mechanical strength of office worktables and desks. It focuses on ensuring that tables can withstand the forces they are likely to encounter during normal use. It applies to fully assembled tables and desks intended for office environments and covers tests for stability under various conditions, such as vertical load and with drawers open. It also addresses the mechanical strength of the structure. Fabric Standards BS 7176 is a British Standard which defines four hazard levels for the fire resistance of upholstered furniture in non-domestic settings: Low Hazard, Medium Hazard, High Hazard, and Very High Hazard. These levels are based on the specific end-use environment and the potential risk associated with that location. Each hazard level requires a different set of flammability tests, which are primarily based on the BS 5852 standard for ignition sources. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products comply and for labelling them to show their BS 7176 compliance, indicating the level of ignition resistance. Always check with the local fire officer to ensure you are specifying the correct hazard level as it can vary depending on the fire safety systems in individual buildings. Low HazardFor low-risk public areas like colleges, exhibitions, museum, offices, schools & universities. The required test is typically BS EN 1021-1 (cigarette) and BS EN 1021 2 (match). Medium HazardApplies to public venues such as restaurants, pubs, and casinos, hospitals and hotel bedrooms. This level requires the BS EN 1021-1 & 2 tests, as well as BS 5852 Source 5 (Crib 5). High HazardUsed for areas with a higher risk, such as offshore installations and sleeping accommodation in certain hospital wards & hostels. This category also calls for BS EN 1021-1 & 2 and the more intense BS 5852 Source 7 (Crib 7) test. Very High HazardThe highest level, for the most dangerous environments like prison cells and locked psychiatric accommodation. In addition to the other tests, further specific tests are required for these locations. It is important to note here to lift to ‘very high’ also requires doing Crib7 on the entire piece of furniture, not only the individual components. Always check with the local fire officer to ensure you are specifying the correct hazard level as it can vary depending on the fire safety systems and exit routes in individual buildings and regions. BS 5852:1979 – Domestic Cigarette & MatchThis is the British Standard for testing the ignitability of upholstered furniture. It evaluates how well the fabric & foam resit ignition from common domestic fire sources and ensures compliance with UK fire safety regulations for upholstered furniture intended for domestic use. Ignition Source 0 (Domestic Cigarette): tests the material’s reaction to a smouldering cigarette. Ignition Source 1 (Domestic Match): tests the material’s reaction to a small flame. What is important to note that this test, although a similar testing process is used, the burn time is longer that for a contract cigarette & match test. In addition 20-22 kgm3 non-FR foam is required in Domestic testing which makes it a much tougher test than the Contract one, where testing foam isn’t specified, so 34-36 kgm3 CMHR is widely accepted as the norm. Martindale & Wyzenbeek Fabric Rub TestsBoth tests indicate fabric durability based on the number of rubs or cycles a fabric can withstand before showing signs of wear (e.g., yarn breakage, pilling). Higher numbers in either test indicate greater durability. Martindale is typically referenced within the UK & Europe, and the testing process involves rubbing fabric samples in a figure-8 pattern against an abrasive material (worsted wool or wire mesh). Wyzenbeek is typically referenced in North America, and the testing process involves rubbing fabric samples back and forth against an abrasive material (cotton duck or wire mesh). Ratings are reported with Martindale as cycles, while Wyzenbeek as double rubs. 40,000 Martindale cycles and upwards is rated for “severe contract use” in BS 2543. Paint, Chemical & Materials Standards BS 3900-0:2010 Methods of test for paints. Index of test methodsThis British Standard is a comprehensive index that documents specific test methods within the larger BS 3900 series and related standards to applying paint & varnishes. It evaluates the appearance and properties of coating and assesses various characteristics of the painted surface. It involves chemical examination, paint film formation, durability, environmental and defects amongst other things. REACHREACH is an EU regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and restriction of Chemicals and is the system for controlling chemicals in the UK & EU. It aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. REACH affects the supply and use of substances, both industrial chemicals and those found in everyday products like paints, cleaning supplies, fabric and other materials. It also promotes alternative methods for the hazard assessment of substances in order to reduce the number of tests on animals. It originally became law in the UK on the 1st June 2007, through the implementation of the Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament. Subsequent to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the new UK regime is known as UK REACH. PFAS FreePFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is the collective name for a group of more than 6000 manmade chemicals, including PTFE and PFOA. These chemicals are potentially harmful to human health and are widely used to make everyday objects repel water, grease, and dirt and can be found in clothing & textiles amongst other things. PFAS break down very slowly and some will not completely disappear for 1000’s of years and are hence given the nickname ‘forever chemicals’. Through production processes, PFAS ends up in our environment, our food chain and eventually our bodies. PIFA standard 6/83A:1995PIFA standard 6/83A:1995 refers to a British standard for polyethylene damp proof membranes (DPMs). Specifically, it’s a quality standard set by the Packaging and Industrial Films Association (PIFA) for DPMs made from polyethylene. This standard outlines the minimum criteria that manufacturers must meet when producing these membranes. Packaging and Industrial Films Association Now known as the British Plastics Federation. This document is not conclusive of all standards and is aimed to provide guidance and is not a guarantee of compliance with all applicable standards and that they may need to consider other relevant information. Standards are subject to change, and this information is correct as of September 2025. References; https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/, https://www.satra.com, https://www.nbs.com, https://www.fira.com and https://www.camira.com.
