Humanscale has emerged as the clear leader in sustainability within the contract furniture industry, according to a new independent scorecard released by MMQB on 18 August 2025. The assessment, which evaluates verifiable data from third-party certifications, climate disclosures, and material transparency, provides an unprecedented look at who is genuinely advancing sustainable practices, and who is still reliant on greenwashing.
© Marek Sikora | LinkedIn
MMQB highlighted: "We've reviewed third-party certifications, climate disclosures, and material transparency efforts across leading contract furniture brands, and the results may surprise you." The report is updated regularly to track progress, ensuring accountability for both claims and verifiable outcomes.
Humanscale leads the industry across multiple dimensions. It ranks first overall in four out of 12 categories and places in the top three in seven. Certifications include EcoVadis Gold (valid through January 2026), B Corp status, and an A- rating in the 2024 CDP climate disclosure. Importantly, Humanscale is the only company to publish a full suite of climate-positive products, 29 items accounting for 55% of 2024 revenue. MMQB notes: "Transparency, meet impact." Its Chicago showroom underwent a Design for Freedom pre-audit, and four facilities have sustainability credentials such as LEED, LBC, or TRUE Zero Waste certification.
The scorecard also highlights the performance gap with industry peers. MillerKnoll, while holding EcoVadis Gold, lacks TRUE Zero Waste certification, climate-positive products, and significant label transparency. Steelcase performs slightly better with 26 Declare labels and CarbonNeutral® certification for its North American products but lacks B Corp and climate-positive product designations. MMQB observes: "It's a solid 'Better,' but a long way from 'Best.'"
Other companies such as Haworth, Teknion, and HNI display moderate or inconsistent sustainability efforts. Several brands, including Fellowes, 9to5 Seating, HAT, Ergotron, and SitOnIt, rank at the rear, with no verified sustainability reporting, climate targets, or published product data. MMQB summarises: "The contract furnishings industry likes to talk a big game about sustainability. But when actual data is compared side-by-side, the gap between leaders and laggards is wide, and growing."
The scorecard emphasises that in an era where procurement increasingly demands verifiable sustainability metrics, industry leaders like Humanscale are not only setting environmental benchmarks but are also strategically positioning themselves for competitive advantage. MMQB underscores the importance of material health, product-level climate impact, and transparent reporting as key differentiators in the sector.
With these insights, designers, specifiers, and procurement professionals now have clear guidance on which companies truly embody environmental stewardship and which remain aspirational in their sustainability claims.
More information:
Humanscale
www.humanscale.com
