Office Chair and

Office chairs are chairs equipped for convenience in daily work and social activities. In a broad sense, they encompass all chairs used in offices, while in a narrow sense, they specifically refer to backrest chairs used for seated desk work.

Classification and Functions

• Narrow and Broad Definitions: Narrowly defined office chairs specifically refer to backrest chairs used for seated desk work. Broadly defined, they include all chairs used in offices, such as executive chairs and staff chairs.
• Features of Office Swivel Chairs: Office swivel chairs are office supplies equipped with rotation and height adjustment functions. Their core components include a seat cushion, backrest, five-star base, casters, and a pneumatic height adjustment system. Height is adjusted via a pneumatic rod, while rotation buffering and movement locking are achieved using elastic supports and rollers. Their design conforms to ergonomic principles and is suitable for office, home, and medical settings.

History and Development

• Origin and Evolution: The earliest prototype of an office chair can be traced back to the forward-tilting wooden chairs of ancient Egypt around 1900 BCE. In 1849, Thomas Warren invented and produced the first truly modern office chair in history, featuring rotation, sliding, and an elastic soft seat surface.
• Current State of China's Industry: Since 2000, China's office chair industry has developed through OEM models, with Anji County in Zhejiang Province becoming a global production base. In 2024, China produced 177 million office chairs and exported 84.64 million. The industry is showing a trend toward intelligence, with some products integrating pressure sensors, health monitoring, and APP control functions. The market size for hydraulic lift swivel chairs is expected to exceed 16 billion yuan by 2025.

Safety Issues

• International Recall Incidents: On March 2, 2023, the United States and Canada recalled office chairs made in China due to the risk of backrest breakage and falling hazards, with 12 reports received, including 10 injuries. On January 16, 2025, the United States recalled WorkPro Momentum office chairs made in China due to the risk of bolt failure and falling hazards, with 7 reports received, including 2 minor injuries.
• Domestic Inspection Results: On September 30, 2024, the State Administration for Market Regulation conducted a national supervision and inspection of office chairs and found that 15 batches of products were unqualified, with stability issues being prominent.