Hands on
High customer satisfaction
Involved
Custom advice
Professional
Wide range of courses

Safety requirements for office furniture

"Work from home as much as possible" is still the advice of the Dutch government. Working from home is currently the norm and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Working at a dining table and dining chair did not seem to be a problem in mid-March 2020 as long as it was temporary. However, for long-term use, ergonomic work tables and chairs are essential to maintain employee health. Many suppliers are therefore responding to the increasing need for home office furniture.

Do you trade office furniture on the Dutch or European market? If so, you must comply with legal safety requirements.

Office desks and office chairs fall under the legal framework of the General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC. This directive states that all products placed on the market must be safe. Using the following European standards, you can have your products tested for compliance with the legal requirements.

  • EN 527-1:2011 Office furniture - Work tables and desks - Dimensions
  • EN 527-2:2016+A1:2019 Office furniture - Work tables and desks - Strength, durability and safety requirements
  • EN 1335-1:2020 Office furniture - Office chairs - Dimensions
  • EN 1335-2:2018 Office furniture - Office chairs - Safety requirements

For office furniture specifically intended for the Dutch population, it is recommended to use the practical guideline NPR 1813 in which the dimensions of work tables and office chairs are adjusted according to the average height of the Dutch population.

The above European standards cover only the physical, mechanical and ergonomic hazards of office desks and office chairs. Different configurations, designs and additional functions may present other hazards. For example, a product with electronic functions must meet additional requirements from regulations or directives in that area. By conducting a risk analysis, you can also identify all electrical, chemical and environmental related hazards. This is important to determine the appropriate additional requirements.

Need support?

Do you sell office furniture on the European or Dutch market and have questions about the legal requirements? Précon can support you in understanding the requirements for your product. Please contact us at +31 30 65 66 010 or info@precongroup.com. You will receive a free quote.

Back to overview

Stay informed

Subscribe to our newsletter, our monthly look at food and non-food quality management.