FEMB LEVEL 3 Sustainability Certification: Highest Rating for ASSMANN Products
examination of product composition as well as in-depth insights into sourcing and manufacturing processes.
The industry-specific European FEMB LEVEL certification recognizes office furniture manufacturers and their products that meet high standards for comprehensive sustainable production. ASSMANN was already certified at LEVEL 2, the second-highest level, in 2019.
In 2022, ASSMANN built on this success: following an audit conducted by TÜV Rheinland, the office furniture manufacturer was awarded the highest possible rating, LEVEL 3. The certification applies in particular to desks, case furniture and shelving systems. In addition to product manufacturing, social factors and the company’s environmental commitment were also taken into account in the assessment.
More than a single eco-label
The Blue Angel, which has been displayed on ASSMANN products for several years, is one of the best-known eco-labels for environmental friendliness and has become an established indicator within both industry and among consumers. However, the certification of sustainable products goes far beyond individual labels.
This includes industry-specific auditing bodies that assess a company’s sustainability measures from multiple perspectives. One example that addresses the challenges of the furniture industry at the highest level is the LEVEL standard, formulated in 2010 by the European Office Furniture Federation (FEMB). With this standard, FEMB defined the first holistic sustainability framework for the European office and contract furniture market.
ASSMANN has been assessed according to this standard for many years. In line with the current ASSMANN sustainability motto #weiter_gehen (“keep moving forward”), our commitment to sustainable thinking and action is driven by continuous development and the ongoing optimization of processes and workflows.
“With FEMB LEVEL 2, ASSMANN was already one of the first companies in Europe to achieve a strong level of sustainable corporate management. We understood this as a foundation for further measures and aligned our initiatives with the goal of achieving the highest level – and did so successfully.”
Julia Koch, Sustainability Officer at ASSMANN
The audit process
The FEMB LEVEL audit is conducted in three phases, assessing not only products and production facilities but also the company’s lived values. Only companies that meet and can demonstrate compliance with the federation’s 23 minimum requirements are admitted to the assessment process.
Subsequently, points can be awarded across four main criteria. The focus is placed on material selection, social responsibility, energy consumption and the potential impact of chemical components on people and the environment. Based on the total score achieved, the LEVEL classifications are assigned, with LEVEL 3 representing the highest possible rating.
ASSMANN received this top rating from experts at TÜV Rheinland, accredited in accordance with ISO 17065. Furniture certified to FEMB LEVEL 3 is characterized, among other things, by the use of environmentally friendly materials, efficient use of resources and a high degree of recyclability. Thanks to detailed product knowledge, the ecological footprint can be calculated and continuously improved.
“Anyone who knows ASSMANN knows that we will not rest on this success. FEMB LEVEL 3 certification is both an award and a motivation for us.”
Karla Aßmann, Managing Director at ASSMANN
Further information on sustainability at ASSMANN: Sustainable thinking and action – ASSMANN