Environmental Requirements

The plywood shells in the nominated Stem Intelligent Seating range of chairs are sourced from FSC certificated forest, the certification was issued by Woodmark, UK.

GECA has received treatment information relating to the timber, it was treated with methyl bromide, which is classed as non-carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation.

Formaldhyde Emmision: Limit value for Plywood- 03ppm

The resin identification code is displayed on all plastic parts.

Polyurethane padding requirements CFC, HCFC, HFC, or Methylene Chloride shall not be used as blowing agents. Analine-based amines, and pigments, and catalysis based on mercury, lead, cadmium, and chromium, must not be added to the padding material. Where Organic Tin Catalysts are used in the production of flexible polyurethane, the manufacturer must have in place a contract with a licensed or registered hazardous waste disposal company who is responsible for the correct disposal of the hazardous waste.

GECA has received confirmation from foam supplier, that states that the polyurethane foam used by Stem is in compliance with the requirements of this criterion. GECA has inspected contracts between foam supplier and a licensed hazardous waste disposal company for the proper disposal of hazardous waste. In addition, GECA inspected MSDS for the foam products.

Fabrics Fabrics must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label, the EU Flower label, or the Nordic Swan label, or must satisfy the requirements of the GECA Standard No – 19: Textiles.

This certification only certifies the white furniture and does not cover the fabric that will be subject to the choice of Stem Intelligent Seating individual customers

Adhesives Adhesives must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice Label, the EU Flower label, the New Zealand Environmental Choice Label, or the Nordic Swan label or must satisfy the requirements of the GECA Standard No – 1: Adhesives.

Stem Seating make use of solvent-based adhesives in applying fabric to padding material.  These products are high in VOC. Under the requirements of this criterion, Stem will be required to test water-based low VOC alternatives when these come on the market and, if successful, the company will be required to replace the solvent adhesive.

A review of MSDS for all production ingredients provides compliance with the requirements of this criterion.

Prohibited Substances Halogenated organic binding agents, poly brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants ,analine based amines, phalates, aziridine or polyaziridines as well as pigments and additives that contain lead, tin, cadmium VI, or mercury.

None of the substances mentioned in this criterion are added to the products under assessment, this is apparent by a review of MSDS for all production ingredients.

Separability The eco-labeled product shall be easily disassembled making possible the recovery and recycling of materials used.

The Stem range of chairs is largely mechanically fixed. There is no barrier to the disassembly of the product range; this was confirmed during a site assessment by a GECA qualified assessor.

Product Custodianship The applicant shall accept their product without additional cost (not including transportation costs) for further recycling.

Stem offer a product stewardship service for the nominated product range. Returned products are either disassembled and components are refurbished and reused, or the products passed to second-hand furniture retailers for refurbishment and sale to the market.

No coating or treatment that will prevent recycling is applied to the nominated range of chairs by Stem intelligent seating.

Replacement Parts For those parts of a product which are subject to wear, e.g. hinges, locks, table leaves, functionally compatible replacements shall be guaranteed for a period of at least five years.

Replacement parts are available upon request by the client.