Humanscale Innovates in Sustainable Design with Multiple Green Attributes Certified by SCS Global Services

New York-based furniture company Humanscale has made sustainability a core principle of design, recently gaining distinction by earning multiple rigorous sustainability certifications. SCS Global Services (SCS) has just independently certified all of Humanscale’s wooden tables to the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) Chain of Custody (CoC) standard, adding this achievement to a multitude of other Humanscale initiatives in responsible sourcing, environmental impact reduction and community engagement.

“Humanscale’s comprehensive approach to sustainability is laudable, and sets an excellent precedent,” said Dr. Robert J. Hrubes, Executive Vice President at SCS Global Services. “Its FSC CoC certification ensures that responsibly-harvested wood is tracked throughout the supply chain, establishing accountability from forest to end customer.”

In 2012, SCS certified many of Humanscale’s furniture products to the SCS Indoor Advantage standard and to the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers’ Association (BIFMA) level® standard, which addresses a holistic set of sustainability criteria such as healthy indoor air, reduced energy footprint, human and ecosystem health, and social responsibility. SCS showcases Humanscale’s certified products in the SCS Green Products Guide, a tool for architects, designers and other purchasers to specify green building products.

Humanscale’s breadth of sustainability achievements also gives the company an edge in the marketplace. The majority of Humanscale’s furniture and building fixtures qualify for LEED Version 4 credits under the Building Product Disclosure (MRc3) and the Low-Emitting Materials (EQc2) categories.

“At Humanscale we realize how much we can impact the world where we operate. We see this as both a serious responsibility and an exciting opportunity. We work hard to measure and reduce our negative impacts, and we actively create positive results,” said Jane Abernethy, Sustainability Officer at Humanscale.  “Humanscale accounts for products even after they have been sold and used.”

For instance, Humanscale partners with ANEW, a non-profit that repurposes salvaged office furniture for use in charities, public agencies and underserved communities. This initiative extends the life of Humanscale products, diverts waste from the landfill and creates value for mission-driven organizations.

SCS Global Services (SCS) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for three decades.  A Certified B Corporation™, SCS’ programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail, and more.  SCS provides accredited services under a wide range of internationally recognized certification programs, many of which will be featured at Booth #1949 at the USGBC Greenbuild 2013 conference and tradeshow this November in Philadelphia. www.scsglobalservices.com