SG 092/25
12-month transition period begins for move to 2024 edition of the BIFMA LEVEL e3 standard.
On April 21, 2025, BIFMA published the 2024 edition of the LEVEL e3 standard, following approval by ANSI. This date marks the beginning of a 12-month transition period for certification.
The ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard is a leading framework for assessing the environmental, health and wellness and social impacts pertinent to furniture products. It is one of the leading furniture sustainability standards and has already been adopted by many suppliers around the world.
Transition guidelines
For new applicants:
Organizations applying for LEVEL ® certification for the first time may choose to certify to either the 2019 or 2024 version of the LEVEL e3 standard until April 21, 2026. After that date, only the 2024 version will be accepted for new certifications.
For existing certificate holders (recertification):
- If your recertification date is on or before April 21, 2026, you may choose to recertify under either the 2019 or 2024 version
- If your recertification date is after April 21, 2026, you must certify under the 2024 version
Note: In all cases, the full audit and approval process must be completed before the respective deadline.
These transition rules are designed to provide consistency while allowing organizations sufficient time to plan and adapt. Certified products must fully comply with the selected version of the standard. Mixing credits or criteria between versions is not permitted.
What’s new in the 2024 edition?
Five years after the release of the 2019 version, the 2024 edition of the LEVEL e3 standard has been fully revised to reflect current sustainability practices and industry expectations.
Key changes include:
- Introduction of a fourth certification LEVEL (previously three)
- Transition from a point-accumulation system to specific requirements for each LEVEL
For more information or guidance, please contact your local SGS representative.
To learn more about this sustainability certification solution, visit our official webpage: BIFMA LEVEL® Furniture Sustainability Certification Services
Explore our on-demand webinar: ‘A Deep Dive Into BIFMA LEVEL® Product Certification for our Furniture industry’
We support businesses from concept to finished product. Our services include product design analysis, component and product testing, auditing, inspection and retail store checks. With deep industry expertise, we help businesses deliver safe, well-designed, functional and durable products while ensuring compliance with relevant standards and/or a manufacturer’s own specifications. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about our furniture services.
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. This publication or website is a property of SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. All contents including website designs, text, and graphics contained herein are owned by or licensed to SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. The information provided is for technical and general information purposes only and offers no legal advice. The information is no substitute for professional legal advice to ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. All information is provided in good faith “as is”, and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, and does not warrant that the information will be error-free or meet any particular criteria of performance or quality.
