Ghent is proud to announce its line of Aria and Harmony Glassboards are the first and only glassboards to have earned BIFMA LEVEL® 2 Certification, the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) e3 sustainability certification program. Developed in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) procedures, LEVEL is the label awarded to office furniture products that meet multiple criteria of the stringent, multi-attribute ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard. Earning the LEVEL mark requires validation by an approved third-party certification body.

“One of our core values as an organization is Preserve the Environment,” commented Director of Product, Scott Bowers.  “We’ve been living this value for over 40 years. Attempting the BIFMA e3 standard gave us the opportunity to take an in depth look at sustainability in all areas of the business including our environmental impact, health and wellness impacts, and social impacts. I’m incredibly proud of this designation as it puts even more meaning behind the work we do as a USA-made manufacturer.”

As thought leaders in the visual communication space, Ghent strives to be at the forefront of advancements in the commercial furniture industry. By assessing material selection, energy usage, social responsibility, and human and ecosystem health impacts, LEVEL addresses how a product is sustainable from multiple perspectives. Highlights of the Aria and Harmony glassboards LEVEL 2 certification are the use of water-based paints mixed just-in-time to cut down on VOCs as well as waste, low-iron glass for a clear, true color, and easy installation saving both time and money. Both Aria and Harmony glassboards are independently LEVEL certified by Intertek and have also earned Clean Air Gold certification for indoor air quality.

“Being awarded and joining the select group of companies to have earned LEVEL certification is a significant accomplishment,” said John D’Agostino, President of GMi Companies. “This is validation for the extra effort we routinely invest in our quest for manufacturing and product development excellence.”

BIFMA’s LEVEL certification is the preferred sustainability standard for the General Services Administration (GSA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of California, who were all instrumental in developing the standard, among others. Additionally, LEVEL certified products are preferred for projects going for WELL or LEED building certifications.

About Ghent, a GMi Company 

GMi Companies, headquartered in Lebanon, Ohio, is a leading US manufacturer of visual communication products and display solutions to help people communicate, collaborate and learn. Ghent products include whiteboards, glassboards, mobiles, tackboards, easels, enclosed message centers, and more. Waddell manufactures display furniture in a variety of applications to meet any environment. VividBoard custom dry-erase boards are used in healthcare as patient room boards to promote communication and patient satisfaction. All GMi Companies products are sold through dealers specializing in office and education throughout North America.   

About BIFMA

BIFMA is the not-for-profit trade association serving business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, the organization has been the industry leader in developing furniture safety, durability, and sustainability standards that ensure product performance and inspire confidence. BIFMA educates the stakeholder community on the importance and proper use of these standards; provides industry statistics and forecasts to members and the public; and advocates for regulatory conditions that enhance value and foster innovation.

About Intertek 

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 44,000 people in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply chains. Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.