Australian and international standards for commercial furniture contain very stringent requirements covering ergonomics, strength, durability and safety, specifying products that meet the appropriate standard reduces the likelihood of problems with OH & S issues and product failure.
These standards are reviewed periodically and are intended to provide manufacturers, specifiers and users with a common basis for evaluating safety, durability and the structural adequacy of specified furniture.
The standards define specific tests, laboratory equipment to be used, the conditions of the test, and the minimum acceptance levels to be used.
A list of relevant standards can be found at www.furntech.org.au
To assist specifiers and purchasers to gain the benefits of these standards, the CFIAA has, through the BUYSAFE Program:
Selected the most appropriate standards for Australia, these are Australian Standards for chairs, desks and workstations and because in some cases Australian standards are still being developed, overseas standards are used;
and
has adopted the AFRDI Blue Tick Accreditation as the means of showing compliance with the standards. This means that not only has a sample been successfully tested, but on-going product quality is monitored by an independent body.
Lists of Blue tick accredited furniture are available at www.furntech.org.au