FEMB level®

Why should we certify under FEMB Level?
FEMB Level covers European GREEN Public Procurement requirements for furniture and the sustainability concepts of the EU Green Deal. A manufacturer of office furniture who wants to successfully sell in Europe can gain access to public purchasing tenders and obtain a competitive advantage through FEMB Level certification. FEMB Level is a pan-European standard and thus accepted throughout the EU.

Can SCS help us get ready for the FEMB Level certification?
As a certification body, we cannot provide help or consulting services toward achievement of FEMB level. However, we can provide contacts to consultants not affiliated with SCS, who are familiar with FEMB level and may be able to help.

How much does FEMB Level certification cost?
The cost of the initial FEMB level certification depends on the scope of the project. Please contact our European office at [email protected] and we will quickly provide you with a proposal. The questions they may ask are: How many product categories shall be certified (e.g. seating, tables, case goods, etc.)? How many manufacturing locations make those products? FEMB Level offers three levels of certification and each comes with increasing audit requirements, which affect the cost. To which level do you aim to certify?

How long does the FEMB Level certification process take?
Generally, the FEMB Level certification process takes between 12 and 16 weeks from project start to finish. Much of the timeline is driven by the client’s level of preparedness and completion of the documentation.

Our documentation will be in our local language. Is that a problem?
While English documentation would be preferred, SCS can work with local language documentation. We use local auditors in many countries and work with translation services. Documents in local language(s) have not been an issue.

What are the maintenance intervals to maintain FEMB Level certification?
A maintenance review for FEMB Level will take place 18 months after the initial certification. This maintenance review no longer requires a site audit, but the achieved credits and all changes to product, supply chain, manufacturing, etc. will be reviewed. Re-certification with a full audit will be necessary 36 months after initial certification.

Are our existing sustainability certifications recognized?
FEMB Level will recognize existing product or manufacturing certifications as long they are based on ISO Standards or EU legislative requirements. All other certifications can be used to meet requirements within FEMB Level, if their criteria match those of FEMB Level. For example, a VOC Emissions Certification is not automatically accepted for FEMB Level Criteria 7.6.2 VOC Emissions from the Finished Product, but the certification can be used to demonstrate compliance to the FEMB Level criteria, if the base criteria are comparable.

Does SCS have local auditors?
SCS works with local auditors in many countries. Please contact your local SCS office to find out, if we have local auditors in your region.

Will FEMB level help with LEED or other green building rating systems?
FEMB Level is currently not recognized for designated points in LEED or other green building rating systems. However, many requirements in FEMB Level directly correspond to criteria in LEED or other green building rating systems such as DGNB, BREEAM, WELL, SKA Rating or others and can be used to demonstrate compliance to those criteria.

Can we combine FEMB Level with other certifications?
SCS can bundle FEMB Level and BIFMA e3 level certifications, as many of the requirements overlap. Additionally, many SCS service offerings, such as SCS Indoor Advantage, SCS Environmental Product Declaration, SCS Recycled Content, SCS Carbon Neutral, as well as ISO 14001 accreditation correspond to requirements in FEMB Level and can be combined. Please contact your local SCS office for more information.

1. Scope
   • SCS scopes the project and prepares a proposal.
   • Client agrees to scope and signs a work order.
   • An SCS account manager is assigned to guide client through the certification process.
2. Data Collection
   • Client completes Data Request Form, identifying credits to be pursued and submits to auditor along with supporting documentation.
   • Once sufficient data is collected, an onsite audit is scheduled.
3. Onsite Audit
   • The SCS auditor conducts an onsite audit.
   • Onsite audit time will be determined based upon the level of certification (i.e. level 1, 2, or 3) and the total number of points requested.
4. Corrective Actions
   • Client responds to any non-conformities or new information requests.
5. Reporting
   • The SCS auditor prepares a draft Assessment Report that details the findings of the audit, including nonconformities, and opportunities for improvement.
6. Certification Decision
   • An SCS reviewer conducts a final review of the draft Assessment Report and makes the certification decision.
   • Upon successful certification, client is listed in SCS Green Products Guide, the levelcertified.org website, and is granted the right to use the approved level® logo.
   • SCS can also provide client marketing support.
7. Certification Maintenance
   • The certification period is 3 years.
   • A surveillance audit of a sampling of credits and an onsite audit is required in the middle of the certification period (18 months/ 1.5 years)
   • A full scale renewal occurs every 3 years.

Eligible Product

Products eligible for FEMB level® certification include all office and non-domestic indoor furniture products.

Certification Criteria

Qualification for level® certification under the FEMB Furniture Sustainability Requirements includes conformance to criteria under four specific categories.

• Materials
• Energy and Atmosphere
• Human and Ecosystem Health
• Social Responsibility

Points earned under each of these categories determine the level of certification earned:

• level 1. The first tier of certified performance
• level 2. Additional milestones of performance achieved
• level 3. The highest level of performance recognized

Certification to FEMB level® attests that the product, the manufacturing facility, and the company responsible for the product brand, have been evaluated by an accredited third-party certification body against the multi-attribute criteria of the FEMB Sustainability requirements for office and non-domestic furniture for indoor use.

Complementary SCS Services

Bundle multiple services and save! SCS offers many complementary services for even more cost-effective service and reduced audit fatigue. Other certifications that support FEMB level include the following:

• BIFMA LEVEL®
• Indoor Air Quality
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Health Product Declarations (HPD)
• FSC Chain of Custody
• Recycled and Material Content
• Carbon Footprint Verification