New National Standards for Office Chairs
The currently applicable and under-revision new national standards for office chairs in China mainly include GB/T 38733 - 2020, 'Office Furniture - Office Chairs - Dimensional Measurement Methods' (under revision), and T/SZFA 0003 - 2025.
GB/T 38733 - 2020: This standard was officially implemented on November 1, 2020. It primarily focuses on the dimensional measurement methods for office chairs, providing clear definitions for the terms of various structural components of office chairs, such as the backrest, seat, and armrests, with precise delineations. It also specifies the accuracy requirements for measurement equipment and facilities to ensure the accuracy and reliability of measurement results. Additionally, it details the corresponding test methods, offering a unified and standardized process for measuring office chair dimensions, facilitating standardized evaluation and comparison of office chair dimensions within the industry.
'Office Furniture - Office Chairs - Dimensional Measurement Methods' (under revision): This standard is under the jurisdiction of the National Technical Committee on Furniture Standardization, with the competent authority being the China National Light Industry Council. It is identical to the ISO international standard ISO 24496:2021 and is currently under revision. This standard also aims to standardize the terminology for the structural components of office chairs, ensuring uniformity in terminology usage within the industry and avoiding communication barriers caused by differences in terminology. In terms of measurement equipment and test methods, it will further align with international standards, enhancing the internationalization level of China's office chair dimensional measurement standards and promoting exchanges and cooperation between the domestic office chair industry and the international market.
T/SZFA 0003 - 2025: This is a group standard issued by the Shenzhen Furniture Industry Association, set to be implemented on March 1, 2026. It applies to indoor office chairs, clearly defining product categories to enable consumers and manufacturers to distinguish between different types of office chairs. It also specifies detailed technical requirements covering materials, structural strength, stability, and other aspects. Additionally, it establishes inspection rules to ensure products meet standard requirements. Furthermore, it provides clear instructions on packaging, transportation, and storage requirements to safeguard the quality and safety of office chairs at every stage.
