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FURNITURE AND FITTINGS
GECA
28-2006 Standard (PDF) |
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Head Office
Head Office delivers an effective range of commercial desking and workstation solutions. |
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Product Marketing Name:
Head Office Use and Application: Desking
and workstation solutions
Date of Certification: 6
August 2008
1.
Description of the
Technology.
Head Office Group has a proven history of using environmental
life cycle thinking as an exciting source of product innovation and
design direction. We actively manage environmental issues
throughout all aspects of our business.
Head Office Group integrates challenging environmental criteria
into all design and development projects. We use Life Cycle
Assessment studies to gain insight into product environmental
impacts, and to guide new product design minimising the overall
environmental impact of our products.
Head Office Group has environmental management programmes
addressing all stages in our product life cycles. These
programmes are integrated across Head Office Group Pty Ltd
business units.
Head Office products contribute to scoring for Green Star Office
Interiors rating. Please contact your local Head Office dealer for
Green Star product evidence documentation.
2. The Products
Workstation Green Sixty-Six: “Designed
and manufactured in Australia utilising European
engineering, offers a strong yet lightweight frame
supporting a range of different screen finishes and
worktops to meet any workstation requirement”
Workstation Green Quad: “The office is
an organised group of individuals, each with their own
identity and function. Quad offers various
configurations designed to inspire people to work
together to achieve the common goal”.
Workstation Green Zone: “Zone
workstations, our “new” slim line and yet, robust
system. The system is designed to be versatile and
flexible with the minimum of materials, thus being more
environmental friendly”.
Core Environmental Criteria Tested:
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Environmental Requirements |
Core Environmental Performance Characteristics |
Fitness for Purpose
Certified products should be good performers in their
intended application. It is implied that certain standards of
product performance are implicit in the label. The manufacturer
of the product must ensure that the product is fit for its
intended purpose and where relevant: The product meets the
performance requirements of the relevant Australian Standard for
its intended application; or the product meets any other
internationally accepted standard if it is to be exported;
Relevant Australian Furniture Standards include but are not
limited to: AS/NZS 4442:1997 Office Desks AS/NZS 4443:1997
Office panel systems – workstations AS/NZS 4438:1997 Height
adjustable swivel chairs AS/NZS 4688:2000 Fixed height chairs AS
5079:2003 Filing cabinets
-- OR --
The product can demonstrate sufficient quality by providing
testing reports from an independent organisation or case studies
from installations demonstrating market suitability and
quality.
-- AND --
The manufacturer shall offer a commercial guarantee of five
years on the quality of the product provided the product is used
according to its intended use. The guarantee shall be valid from
the date of delivery to the consumer. |
Head Office has been in operation for twenty years and is a
distributor for workstations, which are manufactured in
Melbourne. Head Office distributes mainly to interior design
companies and manufactures under the name of Tristat Pty Ltd.
Tristat manufactures aluminium base and frame components in Lane
Cove, Sydney. Tristat also manufactures for a network of
distributors in Queensland, ACT, Victoria and Western Australia.
Head Office products come with a warranty of five years and have
no current international quality standard (ISO 9000). However,
since they have been operation for twenty years, and have been a
strong market player this is enough evidence to prove Fitness
for Purpose.
Head Office has also provided a Warranty Statement from the
Managing Director stating the warranty of 5 years for the
Workstations under assessment. Head Office Group provides a
commercial 5 year warranty from the date of original delivery,
which covers parts and labour. The warranty covers from the date
of delivery to consumer. However, it does not cover “wear and
tear”, accidental damage, negligence and items that have been
misused or altered by any persons not authorised by the Head
Office. |
Material Selection Requirements
The following requirements are for each type of material
contained in the furniture of fitting with a minimum weight of
10% of the overall product. The exception is the timber sources
criteria 3.2.1.1.- Controversial timber sources, which must be
assessed for all timber inputs. Timber and Other Natural
Materials 3.2.1.1 Controversial Sources Wood and other natural
materials from sources that are not certified under a recognised
certification scheme (e.g. FSC or AFS) as being sustainably
managed shall not originate from: Illegal harvesting Illegally
harvested wood and natural materials are those that are
harvested traded or transported in a way that is in breach with
applicable national regulations (such regulations can for
example address CITES species, money laundering, corruption and
bribery, and other relevant national regulations). Genetically
modified organisms Wood and natural materials from genetically
modified organisms are those which have been induced by various
means to consist of genetic structural changes (for a definition
of genetically modified, please refer to Directive 2001/18/EC on
the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms in the
environment). Please note that this does not exclude traditional
breeding programs, since these are not considered to be part of
the techniques of genetic modification. Uncertified high
conservation value communities High Conservation Value
communities are those that possess one or more of the following
attributes: Communities containing globally, regionally or
nationally significant concentrations of biodiversity values
(e.g. endemism, endangered species, refugia); and/or large
landscape level communities, contained within, or containing the
management unit, where viable populations of most if not all
naturally occurring species exist in natural patterns of
distribution and abundance; Communities that are in[constitute]
or contain rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems;
Communities fundamental to meeting basic needs of locally
indigenous human populations (e.g. subsistence, health) and/or
critical to these people’s traditional cultural identity
(areas of cultural, ecological, economic or religious
significance identified in cooperation with such local
communities). For materials sourced from within Australia,
please refer to the EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna at http://www.deh.gov.au/
cgibin/ sprat/public/publicthrea tenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna and
the EPBC Act List of Threatened Flora at http://www.deh.gov.au/
cgibin/ sprat/public/publicthrea tenedlist.pl?wanted=flora for
listings of threatened species, the EPBC Act List of Threatened
Ecological Communities at http://www.deh.gov.au/
cgibin/ sprat/public/publiclooku pcommunities.pl for listings of
threatened communities and the Australian Heritage Data Base at http://www.deh.gov.au/
cgibin/ ahdb/search.pl for listings of areas of cultural
significance. For materials sourced from outside Australia,
please refer to credible lists detailing threatened species,
threatened communities and areas of cultural significance in the
respective countries. |
A site visit of the Head Office main office to inspect the
Workstations has revealed the use of MDF board which is sourced
from Laminex Group who are currently certified by GECA. A
declaration has been provided to GECS from FA Mitchell stating
the MDF board as sourced from Laminex Group. A chain of Custody
Certificate from SCS has also been provided which states the
Certification Registration Number. |
Plastics
Resin Identification Codes
To be licensed to carry the Label, appropriate plastics
resin identification code promulgated by the Plastics and
Chemical Industry Association must be marked on each individual
recycled plastic products or components weighing greater than
100g. Exemptions may be made for products where the nature of
the manufacturing process or the size and shape of the product
restrict the application of the plastics resin identification
code on the product. Exempt products will ensure that
appropriate and acceptable information describing disposal
methods for the product including the relevant plastic resin
identification code will be provided at the time of sale of the
product to encourage further recycling. |
The only plastic that is over 100g in the materials used to make
the workstations is Perspex which is made up of Poly (methyl
methacrylate) (PMMA). A resin code is being sourced from the
appropriate plastic manufacturer which is 7-Other. An
information sheet from Lucite International has stated that
Perspex acrylic sheet can be fully recycled back into the
original acrylic monomer from which it was made. This is then
re-used in the production of new Perspex acrylic sheets. |
Padding material.
Synthetic latex and natural latex requirements.
Latex containing 1.3 butadiene shall be at levels = 1mg/kg
latex. The total amount of discharges (measured as COD or TOC)
from the production of foam rubber shall be treated and
decreased by 90% in onsite or external sewage treatment works
prior to emissions into waterways.
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A site inspection of the
Workstations and review of ingredients lists supplied to GECS
for the Workstations has revealed that there is no latex used in
the Workstations.
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Polyurethane padding
requirements.
Additives.
1. CFC, HCFC, HFC or Methylene Chloride shall not be used as
blowing agents.
2. Analine based amines, and pigments and catalysis based on
mercury, lead, cadmium, and chromium must not be added to the
padding material.
3. 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.
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A site inspection of the
Workstations and review of ingredients lists supplied to GECS
for the Workstations has revealed that there is no latex used in
the Workstations.
GECS has received a Letter from the Technical Manager of Joyce
Foam Products stating that the foam supplied is ROHS compliant.
The letter also states the foam grade is N28-130L and contains
no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated
biphenyl diphenyl ether flame retardants.
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Fabrics
Fabrics must be certified by the Good Environmental Choice
Label, the EU Flower label or the Nordic Swan label or satisfy
the requirements of the GECA Standard No – 19: Textiles.
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The products under assessment
contain a number of different fabrics as determined by the
designers specification. The application for the nominated
product range is for white furniture. GECA requires that the
applicant does have the capacity to supply suitable GECA or
related certified fabrics.
These products will be certified as white furniture and
therefore the textile requirements will not need to be
satisfied. The applicant should note that the nominated product
lines will be required to have certified textile in order to
comply to the full point score available under the Green Star
Rating tool in Australia.
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Glass
Lead glazing, crystal glass, mirror glass, wire reinforced glass
and/or laminated glass must not be used in the furniture or
fittings.
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A site assessment and ingredients
list has revealed no glass is used in the nominated product
under assessment.
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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 satisfy the requirements of
the GECA Standard No – 1: Adhesives.
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A site visit to the manufacturing
warehouse has revealed the only glue used is a water based
starch/polymer adhesive. The CAS numbers for each ingredient
have been provided to GECS for analysis and found the
ingredients in the glue to be non toxic.
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Hazardous Materials. Overall
Loads
In order to promote the reduction of pollutant hazards in the
disposal, landfill and/or incineration of end of life furniture,
the following substances shall not be added to eco-labeled
furniture during the production process: Arsenic Cadmium
Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Fluorine Chlorine Pentachlorophenol
(PCP) Tar oils (benzo (a) pyrene)
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A review of ingredients lists and
MSDS’s for each ingredient used in the manufacture of the
Green Zone, Quad and Sixty Six has revealed the use of no
chemicals as described in this criterion.
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Chemical Additives
Furniture or fittings shall not contain carcinogenic substances
in categories 1, 2A as classed by the International Agency for
Research on Cancer – http://www.iarc.fr.
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A review of ingredients lists and
MSDS’s for each ingredient used in the manufacture of the
Green Zone, Quad and Sixty Six has revealed no carcinogens used
in the manufacture of these products under assessment.
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Prohibited Substances
Halogenated organic binding agents, analine based amines,
phalates, aziridine or polyaziridines as well as pigments and
additives that contain lead, tin, cadmium VI, mercury or their
compounds shall not: a) be added to individual furniture or
fittings parts, b) used in the manufacture of timber furniture
and fittings, or c) used in the manufacture of preparatory
agents or agents for the degreasing or surface treatments of
furniture and fittings or their components.
The coating of metal gas lifts is exempt from this criterion. In
exceptional cases, surfaces may be treated with chromium or
nickel where this is necessary on the grounds of heavy physical
wear or in the case of parts that require particularly tight
connections. This exemption does not include parts that are
intended to come into frequent contact with skin.
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A site inspection of the
Workstations displayed aluminium powder coating for the frame.
MSDS’s have been supplied to GECS for two Powder Coaters which
are 272-Line Duralloy which is applied by electrostatic spray
and Chromocoat T3A which is a chromate conversion for aluminium.
MSDS’s have been supplied for Jif which is used to clean the
board and other materials during assembly. This chemical is
harmless to human health and therefore meets the requirements of
this criterion.
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Post Consumption Recycling,
Coatings, Labels and Other Treatment.
Separability
The eco-labeled product shall be easily disassembled making
possible the recovery and recycling of materials used. In order
to facilitate recycling of the materials used in products, the
following materials have to be easily separated: Aluminium, if
it composes >= 5% by weight of the ecolabelled product;
Steel, if it composes >= 10% by weight of the ecolabelled
product; Glass, if it composes >= 10% by weight of the
ecolabelled product; Plastic, if it composes >= 20% by weight
of the ecolabelled product.
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There does not seem to be any
technical barrier to the disassembly of the Products under
assessment for further recovery and recycling. The product under
assessment is designed for ease of disassembly. A site visit of
the warehouse and factory of Tristat Pty Ltd has uncovered the
ingredients used in the manufacture of the workstations. This
has displayed the ease of disassembly of the workstation, in
which the parts can be reused at the end of the Life Cycle.
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Product Custodianship
The applicant shall accept their product without additional
cost (not including transportation costs) for further recycling,
or have arrangements with an Australian plastics or steel
recycler to accept the product, or have an established product
stewardship program
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Head Office Group has supplied a
letter signed by the Managing Director stating the return policy
to take back the workstation from consumers at the end of
product life for recycling. A site visit has uncovered the use
of cardboard recycling bins for a contractor to recycle their
cardboard packaging.
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Coatings/Treatments
Furniture and fittings products (or components) must not be
impregnated, labelled, coated or otherwise treated in a manner
which would prevent post consumer recycling. Exemption may be
made for products with a long product life where a coating or
treatment would further extend the useful life of the product.
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A site assessment has discovered
that no manufacturing processes interfere with end of life post
consumer recycling. The products are designed for ease of
assembly and disassembly.
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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.
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The warranty as mentioned in
section 3.1 for Fitness for Purpose is for 5 years.
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Recycled furniture Recycled
furniture can be licensed in conformation to this standard
providing that the furniture has not been refinished or coated
with any materials except for the purpose of cleaning.
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Head Office Group products under
assessment contain no recycled products.
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 View
Head Office EPD
3. Environmental and Social Regulatory Obligations:
GECA also found the Head Office range to
be fully compliant with their obligations under Labour,
Anti-Discrimination, and Safety Regulations. The company
has not been the subject of prosecution in relation to
compliance with labour, anti- discrimination, safety
regulations and environmental regulations.
Additional Information
Good Environmental Choice Australia
recommends these products to green purchasing officers,
specifiers, and every day Australians seeking to
purchase products and services on the basis of
functional and overall environmental and human health
performance.
For more information contact Head
Office directly:
Head Office Group Pty Ltd
Address: 213/40 Yeo Street, Neutral Bay NSW 2089
Ph: +61 (02) 9953 1377
Fax: +61 (02) 9953 1630
Web: www.headofficegroup.com
You can go to the company's web site here:
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Workstation Green Quad
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Workstation Green Sixty-Six
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Workstation Green Zone
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