School Furniture Certifications

Resource

Certifications Achieved by VS

Product & company certifications

Tested & Recommended

Both our products and our company have earned multiple certifications, reflecting our commitment to safety, sustainability and quality. We take responsibility for supporting people, nature and the environment through meaningful initiatives and long-term commitment.

Company-Related Certifications

As a manufacturer, property owner, employer and contributor to society, we operate with clear principles, well-defined processes and a commitment to high standards. By aligning with the management standards below and undergoing external certification, we support accountability, transparency and responsible business practices.

Certification according to ISO 9001 is the basis for the continuous improvement process of the company’s quality management system. Quality management encompasses all activities including specifying the responsibilities that contribute in any way to achieving an organisation's quality goals.

ISO 14001 gives an organisation a framework for protecting the environment and enables it to react to changing environmental conditions in accordance with socio-economic demands and changing environmental conditions.

This standard refers to the factors that can be influenced by the company and can be adapted to individual requirements. Accordingly, companies can systematically and continuously improve their energy efficiency.

Certifications on Product and User Safety

These certifications cover a range of core processes and statutory minimum requirements. They also include sustainability-related aspects such as emissions, pollutants, product safety and durability.

Our products have been awarded the following product and user safety certifications.

The GS mark is our guarantee of the safety of our furniture.

In a GS test, an independent accredited body tests products, such as furniture, for stability, strength and durability. However, the focus is also on ergonomic requirements.

Validity at VS

Almost all VS series products bear the GS mark.

This certification programme defines requirements for emissions and pollutants that go far beyond the legal requirements.

The certificate is internationally recognised. After successful completion of the initial test, an annual surveillance test is carried out.

Validity at VS

To ensure the health and well-being of our customers, we test and monitor a large number of our standard products in accordance with this certification programme.

This ensures that there are no harmful emissions from the furniture and that the product cycle is not adversely affected by environmentally harmful substances.

Greenguard is an emissions label from UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a leading testing institute in the USA.

It sets strict requirements for emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and our furniture is tested to ensure it meets these limits.

Validity at VS

A large number of our products carry the Greenguard label. Most of them achieve the highest level of requirements, Gold.

Currently, around 100 of our model series are listed with Greenguard through our American subsidiary VS America, Inc.

This list can be viewed publicly here. Select VS America under the ‘Manufacturers/Brands’ filter.

In close cooperation with recognised, independent test laboratories, VS upholstered furniture and chairs are tested in accordance with or based on the fire protection standard DIN 66084 ‘Classification of the burning behaviour of upholstered composites’ with the classes P-a, P-b and P-c.

Classification is carried out in accordance with this standard using the cigarette test in accordance with DIN EN 1021 Part 1, the match test in accordance with DIN EN 1021 Part 2 and the paper cushion test in accordance with DIN 54341.
Even in the standard version, the upholstered furniture and chair models from VS fulfill the classification standard P-c (low) and P-b (medium). The classification standard P-a (high) is achieved if the furniture is additionally fitted with a barrier material. VS offers this equipment as an option.

Certifications for Sustainability

Overarching sustainability standards take a holistic view of products – from the choice of materials and the production process to the delivery of the furniture. Aspects considered include: Are renewable energies used, and to what extent? How durable are the products? How committed is the company to social issues?

There are many sustainability certifications on the market. At VS, we focus on recognised European standards because we value their holistic approach.

Our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) also provide information on the sustainability of our products. We have created them for most of our standard products to make their environmental impact more transparent.

European Level is a standard for office and non-residential furniture with comprehensive product and company-related criteria for sustainability and recycling. It has been developed by industry experts to define specific requirements for furniture.

The standard is published by the European Office Furniture Association (FEMB) and legally owned by IBA (Industrieverband Büro und Arbeitswelt e. V.).

There is currently a wide range of sustainability certifications available. At VS we focus on the European level because of its holistic approach. More information on the European level can be found here.

Validity for VS

Overview of certified VS products

BIFMA level is the sustainability standard of the American Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA). It is an evaluation and certification system for environmentally friendly and socially responsible school, office and contract furniture.

Validity at VS

Since October 2013, the majority of VS products have been certified to BIFMA level. In the recertification in 2016, all of the certified products were awarded the product-related BIFMA certification at the highest level 3 or platinum.

Cradle to Cradle is a sustainable design concept with the aim of developing products in such a way that they do not become waste at the end of their lifespan and that the material can be reused again and again in a closed cycle.

Validity at VS

As a manufacturing company, we fundamentally examine every aspect of the material cycle of our products. In doing so, we take into account the basic idea of C2C (e.g. dismountable construction, low-pollutant materials).

Our main focus is on the durability of our products so that they can be used for as long as possible before they are returned to the cycle.

JUMPER Air Active from VS is the first school and institutional chair to achieve the complex certification in silver. The school chair PantoSwing- LuPo has also been certified silver. The tables Uno-C und EcoTable (https://c2ccertified.org/certified-products) have been awarded bronze.

The EU Ecolabel is awarded to products and services that have a lower environmental impact than comparable products. The label is designed to help consumers identify products that are kinder to the environment and their health.

Validity at VS

The following models are entitled to carry the EU EcoLabel: EcoTable 23005 (70 x 60) and Shift Landscape 45293 with adjustable feet.

ISO 38200 an internationally recognised standard for the manufacturing cycle (CoC, Chain of Custody) of wood and wood products, which is valid worldwide. The standard governs the passing on of information along the supply chain. In particular, it is designed to support and implement responsible and legal wood sourcing - including the context of the EU Timber Regulation.

Validity at VS

All VS products that contain wood materials are delivered to our customers under the ISO 38200 test label.