EUROPEAN LEVEL

• LEVEL is the only accredited standard for the Green Economy.
• LEVEL is the most comprehensive sustainability standard for furniture.
• Contents of other characters are covered by LEVEL.
• Systems based on a legal basis or accredited systems are recognized.
• Benchmarks and limit values from other labels have been integrated.
• LEVEL meets the market requirements of the circular economy.
• LEVEL enjoys a high level of credibility and international recognition.

Assessment requirement for certification

European LEVEL covers four areas of impact: Materials, Energy and Atmosphere, Management of Chemicals and Social Responsibility.

Material

This area of activity deals with materials and resources in the product development process: the selection of materials, the efficient use of resources, the use of recycled materials, water and waste management as well as packaging and the product life cycle.

• Wood and wood-based materials
• Plastic parts
• Surface coatings
• Adhesives and bonding materials
• Textiles, leather and upholstery materials
• Flame retardants and phthalates
• Packaging materials
• Life cycle assessments
• Efficient use of resources, recycled content
• Extended product responsibility
• Circular Economy
• Water and waste management

Energy and atmosphere

This area of activity includes the development of a company-related energy policy, audits on energy and greenhouse gases, the generation and use of renewable energies, gray energy contained in the product and reports on greenhouse gas emissions:

• Energy policy of the company
• Recording of energy consumption
• Assessment of the overall energy efficiency
• Recognition for building certification
• Energy management system
• Gray energy
• Energy consumption of the finished product
• Transportation
• Renewable energies on and off site
• CO2-footprint and greenhouse gases
• Air emissions

Chemicals management

This impact area takes into account, for example, the effects of chemical substances on humans and the natural environment. Products, production processes and measures for the maintenance and repair of production facilities are considered:

• Proof of compliance with regulations
• Corporate guidelines for handling chemicals, risks and environmental management
• EMAS, ISO 14001 or equivalent
• Chemical management in the production facility
• Effects of product, process and maintenance chemicals
• Avoidance of chemicals of concern
• Low-emitting furniture

Social responsibility

This area of activity deals with management techniques for recognizing and avoiding hazards to employees and the environment. The criteria include e.g. Inclusion, community and social commitment of the company and the anchoring of social responsibility in the supply chain:

• Health and safety of employees
• Labor and human rights
• Social responsibility policy
• External standards for health and safety management
• Programs for inclusion
• Civic engagement
• Reporting on social responsibility
• Promotion of social responsibility in the supply chain

LEVEL has three certification levels. Products can be awarded LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2 or LEVEL 3. The classification is based on the number of points achieved. The highest achievable level is LEVEL 3.

Almost all König + Neurath products in the tables, cabinets, partition walls and seating categories are certified. All certified products have achieved the highest certification level „LEVEL 3“.