CSR Press Release

NORTHBROOK, IL, August 17 /CSRwire/ - UL Environment, a global leader in environmental validation and standards development, announces it has become an official certification body for the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association's (BIFMA) level(TM) program.

"As consumers seek more sustainable goods, there is a strong need for clear environmental standards and third-party validation from both commercial furniture manufacturers and the consumers that purchase their products," said Steve Wenc, President, UL Environment. "BIFMA is a leader in providing industry standards and we are pleased to help validate products submitted through its program."

BIFMA International, a trade association for the commercial furniture industry that represents the top firms in the contract furniture market, developed level(TM), a multi-attribute, sustainability standard and third-party certification program for the furniture industry. The program provides manufacturers with a methodology for clearly communicating environmental attributes. UL Environment will help validate that products meet the BIFMA levelTM standard. The process provides manufacturers and consumers of commercial furniture peace of mind that environmental claims have been evaluated and communicated effectively.

With this recognition, UL Environment will assist in giving manufactures a simple yet comprehensive way to understand how products contribute to sustainability as a whole. Its certification will help customers make informed choices about their commercial furniture purchases. UL Environment's participation in the level(TM) program signifies its ongoing dedication to sustainable design and development.

"UL Environment brings a 115-year history of product safety to the table and a strong reputation," said Thomas Reardon, BIFMA Executive Director. "We are pleased that UL Environment is the latest certification body to participate in the level(TM) program and I'm confident that products certified by UL Environment will be thoroughly evaluated for conformance to the standard."

About UL Environment, Inc.

UL Environment is helping support the growth and development of sustainable products and services in the global marketplace through standards development and independent third-party assessment and certification. UL Environment is a wholly owned subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories, a global leader in conformity assessment that has been testing products and writing standards for more than a century. UL Environment currently offers Environmental Claims Validation(TM) (ECV), a service testing and validating manufacturers' self-declared environmental claims and Sustainable Products Certification(TM) (SPC), a service testing and certifying products to accepted industry standards for environmental sustainability. UL Environment is developing additional environmental standards along with training and advisory services to support organizations in the sustainable products and services industry. For more information please visit www.ulenvironment.com.

For more information on BIFMA or the level program, visit www.bifma.org or www.levelcertified.org.

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