Six Sigma Quality International

• Item Code: inventory
• Pay Mode Terms: L/C (Letter of Credit),D/A,T/T (Bank Transfer),W

• BIFMA PC-2018 - BIFMA Product Conformance Requirements
• ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 Office Seating
• ANSI/BIFMA X5.4 Lounge and Public Seating
• ANSI/BIFMA X6.4 Occasional-Use Seating
• ANSI/BIFMA X5.5 Desk Products
• ANSI/BIFMA X5.6 Panel Systems
• ANSI/BIFMA X5.9 Storage
• ANSI/BIFMA X5.11 Large Occupant Office Seating
• ANSI/BIFMA X6.1 Educational Seating
• ANSI/SOHO S6.5 Small Office/Home Office
• ANSI/BIFMA M7.1 Standard Test Method for Determining VOC Emissions
• ANSI/BIFMA X7.1 Standard for Formaldehyde and TVOC Emissions
• ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard
• BIFMA HCF 8.1 - Healthcare Furniture Design - Guidelines for Cleanability
• BIFMA G1 - 2013 Ergonomics Guideline for Furniture
• BIFMA Color - 2005 Color Measurement
• BIFMA PCR for Office Furniture Workspace Products: UNCPC3814
• BIFMA PCR for Seating: UNCPC 3811
• BIFMA PCR for Storage: UNCPC 3812
• BIFMA PD-1-2017 Mechanical Test Standards-Compiled Definitions
• BIFMA Sustainability Guidelines for Office Furniture - 2005
• BIFMA Tex4.1 - 2005 Woven Textile Characteristics

Accessing Standards

BIFMA may provide standards free of charge to government and higher education institution employees for reference and review purposes.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Institute of Standards and Technology have put together "A Guide to United States Furniture Compliance Requirements."  This Guide includes a broad range of mandatory and voluntary requirements for selling furniture in the United States.  (Note - BIFMA references listed on pages 20-22 and 25).

International Furniture Standards

BIFMA is also accredited by ANSI to be the administrator of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO Technical Committee TC-136 Furniture. This has been very useful for BIFMA in its involvement with International Standards for office furniture. However, ISO TC-136 covers ALL furniture, not just office furniture. Those interested in International Standards for furniture other than office furniture should contact BIFMA.

Healthcare Furniture

An overview of the BIFMA Healthcare Furniture Cleaning Guide hosted by the University of Michigan, January 2015. 

BIFMA members gave a presentation at the Healthcare Design conference in November 2017, on the topic of Healthcare Seating.  You may view the presentation 

BIFMA and Mississippi State University partnered to study large occupants and the forces they create on commercial seating products.  The title of the publication is, “Measuring Humans for Heavy Duty Chair Testing and Design.” You may view the publication 

We can conduct a product conformity assessment with our associates and on successful completion issue a Certificate of Conformity (CoC). Botswana’s SIIR program ensures goods meet safety, quality and security requirements. It facilitates international trade, avoids delays in customs and reduces potential losses from the import of non compliant products. The CoC is mandatory for customs clearance.

Documents required:

• Schedule II application form A
• Request for Certification (RFC) and Declaration of Conformity (DOC)
• Pro forma invoice or purchase order
• Final invoice for Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issuance
• Tests reports according to BOBS requirements
• Product information (product technical sheet, catalogue, etc)
• Manufacturer QMS (not mandatory, but useful)

We provide inspection, verification, testing and certification  with a global network we are committed to providing exporters to Botswana, and importers in the country, with efficient services under SIIR.

With decades of experience managing conformity assessment programs , we offer efficient and comprehensive solutions to speed your products’ route to market, ensure quality and safety and reduce potential losses.

DCS is highly trained technical experts will work with you to help obtain the approvals you need under the International Electrotechnical Commission Explosive Scheme (IECEx) for electrical equipment used in hazardous locations around the world. Our EU Partner are recognized notified body by europeon union, As a recognized IECEx Body and Testing Laboratory, we can help you streamline the process by testing to a single set of IEC standards for all your testing & certification needs. This helps streamline your access to multiple markets with a single design and finished product, eliminating the need for duplicate testing.

DCS alliance notified body is a recognized ExCB and Ex Testing Laboratory (ExTL) and is permitted to operate within the IECEx Scheme. As an ExCB and ExTL, we can generate internationally accepted ExTRs and QARs, allowing us to issue IECEx Certificates of Conformity for your Ex equipment.

The approval process

The IECEx Scheme is designed to facilitate the international trade of electrical equipment used in explosive, hazardous environments (Ex equipment). There are two steps to approving your equipment under the IECEx Scheme:

1. We test your equipment and issue an IECEx Test Report (ExTR) for compliance.
2. We evaluate the production facility(s) where your equipment is manufactured to the required Quality Assessment (IECEx Scheme) and issue a Quality Assurance Report (QAR).

• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• India
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Malaysia
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Romania
• Russia
• Slovenia
• South Africa
• Singapore
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• U.S.

The so-called hygienically relevant indicators constitute a separate group of safety indices. They are relevant for food products, preservatives, materials and goods made out of them that come into contact with food products., perfumery and cosmetic products, textile, sewing and jersey materials containing chemical fibres, certain items of machine-building industry and a number of other industrial goods.

The certification procedure of products whose quality to a considerable extent is shaped by hygienically relevant indicators foresees obtaining a hygienic report.

Hygienic report is a document issued in evidence of a permit given by bodies and institutions under the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control in the RF Health Ministry for production or import of goods consistent with statutory requirements. A hygienic report is an official conformation that products are safe for human health provided certain conditions are met.

Hygienic reports are issued by bodies of the state sanitary and epidemiological service of the Russian Federation upon consultation of normative documents, launch of new products or conclusion of contracts to purchase products abroad. A reason to support issuance of a hygienic report is provided by results of hygienic assessment of products and examination of appropriate normative acts, their production and use. Such reason for imported products rests on evaluation of a safety certificate provided by an importer-country and results obtaining during tests of products performed in Russia.

Products to be realized only if a hygienic report is available undergo certification provided hygienic reports are obtained for them.

CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear)
courses are designed to provide knowledge and skills for responding to and managing incidents involving hazardous substances. Here are some key points typically covered in a 2-day CBRN course:

1. Introduction to CBRN:

   • Overview of CBRN threats and incidents.
   • Historical examples and case studies.

2. Chemical Hazards:

   • Types of chemical agents (nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, etc.).
   • Detection and identification of chemical threats.
   • Protection against chemical agents.

3. Biological Hazards:

   • Types of biological agents (bacteria, viruses, toxins).
   • Modes of transmission and effects on humans.
   • Detection and identification of biological threats.
   • Protection and decontamination methods.

4. Radiological and Nuclear Hazards:

   • Types of radiological and nuclear materials.
   • Detection and identification of radiological threats.
   • Protection against radiological and nuclear exposure.

1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

   • Types of PPE used in CBRN environments.
   • Proper use and maintenance of PPE.

2. Decontamination Procedures:

   • Techniques for decontaminating people, equipment, and areas.
   • Decontamination stations and protocols.

3. CBRN Incident Management:

   • Incident command system and coordination.
   • Roles and responsibilities during a CBRN incident.
   • Communication and information management.

4. Medical Response:

   • Medical management of CBRN casualties.
   • Triage and treatment protocols.
   • Psychological support for responders and victims.

5. Practical Exercises and Simulations:

   • Hands-on practice with detection and decontamination equipment.
   • Simulated CBRN scenarios to apply learned skills.

• Assessment and Evaluation:

  • Written and practical exams to assess knowledge and skills.
  • Feedback and review of performance.

• Certification:

  • Issuance of course completion certificates.

• Course Wrap-Up:

  • Summary of key points.
  • Q&A session for any remaining questions.

• Pre-course Reading:

  • Recommended materials or readings to be completed before the course.

• Physical Fitness:

  • Basic level of physical fitness may be required for practical exercises.

This structure provides a comprehensive overview of CBRN threats and response mechanisms, ensuring participants are well-prepared to handle such incidents effectively. If you have specific needs or focus areas, the course can often be tailored to address those as well.

The Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia came into existence on January 1, 2010^[1] between the states of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The Customs Union was launched as a first step towards forming a broader European Union-type economic alliance of former Soviet states.^[2] The member states are planning to continue with economic integration and were set to remove all customs borders between each other after July 2011. On 19 November 2011, the member states put together a joint commission on fostering closer economic ties, planning to create aEurasian Union by 2015.^[3][4] Since January 1, 2012, the three states are a single economic space called Common Economic Space to promote further economic integration.^[4][5] The Eurasian Economic Commission is the regulatory agency for the Customs Union and the Eurasian Economic Community.^[4]

The United States is opposed to the Customs Union, seeing it as an attempt to reestablish a Russian dominated USSR-type union amongst the Post-Soviet states.

In accordance with initiated 2 years ago unification of certification requirements for member countries of the Customs Union (Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan), new Customs Union Technical Regulations for machinery and equipment will be coming into force on February 15th, 2013:  

• Safety of machinery and equipment
• Safety of equipment used in the explosive atmosphere
• Safety of devices working on gas fuel
• Safety of low voltage equipment
• EMC of technical devices
• Safety of lifts (from April 18th, 2013)

They will replace national requirements and conformity assessment procedures of each member state of the Customs Union. New conformity documents and new Mark of Conformity for Customs Union will be applicable.

There will be a transition period of approximately 2 years to allow for the adjustment to the new legislations.

Products certified according to new rules will have to be labelled with Customs Union Mark of Conformity, called EurAsian Conformity Mark – EAC, before they are placed on the market of the Customs Union member states.

Other new Technical Regulations are undergoing inter-state discussions and should be approved in the near future.

• Gost-R Certificate for Exports of Machinery to Russia
• GOST-R Certificate of Conformity for Exports to Russia
• Exporter and Importer Services
• Directory of Regulatory Updates to Conformity Assessment Programmes

Request more information to see how DCS  can help your organization with New Technical Regulations and EAC Mark of Conformity for Machinery Exports to Russia Kazakhstan or Belarus. 

• Item Code: GostR
• Pay Mode Terms: T/T (Bank Transfer),Western Union,Other
• Port of Dispatch: From Russia
• Delivery Time: within 2 weeks

Under the PVoC program, all regulated products to be imported to Tanzania will undergo verification and testing in the country of supply and a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) will be issued to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the applicable national standards or approved equivalents and technical regulations. The CoC will be mandatory for Customs clearance.

The TBS has introduced the PCA Program to protect the country, consumers and local manufacturers from:

• Substandard products that may endanger public health, safety or the environment
• Counterfeit or unsafe products
• Unfair competition from imported goods which do not comply with the approved standards

Products regulated under this program include:

• Toys and childcare products
• Electrical and electronic products
• Automotive products
• Chemical and household products (furniture, paper products)
• Mechanical materials and gas appliances
• Food and agricultural products
• Selected safety equipment
• Used products

There are three potential routes to PVoC certification depending on conditions including, but not exclusively: the type of product; its homogeneity; the frequency of shipments; and, the manufacturer's quality management system.

• Route A - for unregistered products (unregistered suppliers of manufacturers of sensitive goods). Products must be tested and physically inspected to demonstrate conformity to relevant standards, essential requirements or manufacturer's specification
• Route B - for registered suppliers or manufacturers of goods. This offers a fast track certification process for goods with reasonable and consistent levels of quality by registration of products with the PVoC contractor. Product Registration is recommended to exporters with frequent shipments of homogenous products
•  Route C - licensed products. This route is only open to manufacturers who can demonstrate the existence of a quality management system in their manufacturing/production process. This route involves the audit of any QMS and licensing of products by the authorized PVoC contractor. This route is recommended for manufacturers with high frequency/volumes of shipments

With decades of experience managing conformity assessment programs , We offers exporters efficient and comprehensive solutions to ensure shipments conform to Tanzania's requirements.

The purpose of the technical supervision - Control over the release of certified products and the operation of a certified quality management system during the term of the certificates.

     In carrying out technical supervision, usually carried out routine tests certified products and are usually partial inspection of production.

     Frequency of routine tests, their scope and modalities, the frequency of assessment of the production as well as the functioning of the certified quality management system or a certified production sets the OS in each case and regulates their program of technical supervision. The program is developed operating system, approved by his supervisor and agreed with the applicant.

     Further technical supervision of the manufacture of certified products (quality management) is carried out within the time specified in the program of technical supervision, as a rule - once a year. The results of the latest technical supervision (including the results of control tests conducted during the technical inspection) may be taken into account when issuing a certificate for a new period.

     In principle, a technical oversight on the content of the work is close to production or inspection procedures for certification of production or inspection quality management system (depending on application of certification schemes for products).

To begin work on certification in Ukraine, the manufacturer, or authorized person who may apply for certification on the basis of a written power of attorney executed by the manufacturer submits an application for certification. Application is filed on the appropriate application form (Ukr, Rus, Eng).

Along with the Application filed in the OS package of documents for the products and, if necessary, a quality management system. List of documents attached to the Application (Ukr, Rus, Eng), determined based on the features of certified products. This list is for all types of technical regulation: product certification with regard to all schemes (models) of certification, certification of quality management systems, technical expertise to obtain a permit to operate the products in Ukraine, getting sanitary - epidemiological conclusion.

OS Review and analysis of the submitted application and the documentation provided. If necessary, requesting additional information. After that, the OS takes a decision on the application (by the rules UkrSEPRO within a period not exceeding one month) with the model (scheme) certification.

Certification - the process by which a recognized in the prescribed manner (Authorized) authority documents the suitability of the products, quality management systems, environmental management systems, OSH management systems, personnel, legal regulations in force in Ukraine.

     In Ukraine there is a state system of product certification - UkrSEPRO. In this system, carried out both mandatory and voluntary certification. Work in the system UkrSEPRO organized by the State Committee of Ukraine for Technical Regulation and Consumer Policy - Gospotrebstandart Ukraine, which is a National Certification Body - (formerly known as State Standard of Ukraine).

·         The conclusions of the Ministry of Health - confirm compliance with the declared goods (imported and domestic) and TU on which products are produced in Ukraine, acting in Ukraine, sanitary norms and rules. Give hygienic conclusions ogranizatsii subordinate to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MoH) - such as sanitary and epidemiological services, institutions, etc. The basis for the issuance of sanitary products are at the conclusion of the test reports of products. 

Hygienic conclusion of the products - valid from 1 to 5 years. May be issued for a batch production or in production. 

Hygienic conclusion on the technical conditions required for all types of products produced by the Technical conditions in Ukraine. Obtaining the Ministry of Health is a prerequisite for the registration of technical conditions in Ukraine. 

Obtaining the Ministry of Health takes from 1 to 4 weeks. The cost depends on the object of examination. We send documents to any destination in Ukraine (Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Odessa, Donetsk, Lviv) ·      

Medicines, medical equipment and medical items are subject to registration with the State Register of the Ukrainian Healthcare Ministry.
Ukrainian exemption letters = explanatory letters on obligatory products certification in Ukraine

The exemption letter is a document stating that the products are not subject to statutory certification in Ukraine by the certification bodies. The letter specifies the contract number and invoice, as well as product quantity in a specific lot.

There are two types of exemption letters:
1. The exemption letter for trade purposes:
2. The exemption letter for customs, i.e. for customs clearance of cargos.
Generally, the contents of the letters is very similar, however the customs accept as a regulating document only those letters that were issued by accredited certification bodies as authorized by Gospotrebstandard of Ukraine, whereas the explanatory letter for trade purposes may be issued by any accredited certification body.

A special blank is not required for the exemption letter. It is executed on a letterhead blank of the certification body with affixed seal of such certification body. The exemption letter is valid for one year.

After a tendering process and rigorous evaluation KEBS has appointed SGS to operate the PVoC program on its behalf, in all countries and regions, for three years from 18 January 2012.

SGS is the only company authorized to provide the services globally, in every country around the world, which confirms once again the leading role in PVoC Kenya.

• Goods imported into Kenya require a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
• CoC is a mandatory clearance document for each consignment.
• Goods exempted from the program are still subject to KEBS destination inspection.
• Exporter is liable for any legal or economic consequences arising for goods shipped without the cover of a COC.
• Responsibility of compliance lies with the supplier/exporter.

Kenya’s PVoC ensures goods meet mandatory safety, quality and security requirements, enables international trade, avoids delays in customs and reduces potential losses from the import of non compliant products. The key elements of a PVoC are:

• Physical inspection prior to shipment
• Sampling, testing and analysis in accredited laboratories
• Audit of product processes
• Documentary check of conformity to regulations
• Assessment of conformity to Kenyan Standards

With decades of experience managing conformity assessment programs around the world SGS offers exporters efficient and comprehensive solutions to ensure shipments conform to Kenya’s requirements.

DCS has vast experience in delivering conformity assessment services, including that in Africa and Middle East. We have unparalleled network, local contract management, and dedicated team of professionals. Together with superior software platform, it ensures consistency, speed, efficiency and professionalism.

We offer:

• Key Account Management in one of the countries or/and in our Contract Management Office in Nairobi;
• One stop shop for all certifications worldwide;
• Immediate access to information about your order;

Permit to Use issued by Department for Supervision for Safe Work Practices in Industrial facilities of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus (Gospromnadzor);

The certification system of the Republic of Belarus is similar to the Russian one. The main difference is that the document under Customs Union Technical Regulations and Gospromnadzor Permit to Use shall be obtained for a product.

Gospromnadzor Permit to Use shall be obtained for the equipment using gas, pressure vessels, equipment of petrochemical and nuclear industries. The Permit may be issued for a single shipment or serial production.  Validity of the document is 3 years. Permit to use is obligatory for all types of equipment using gas and operating under pressure, installed in facilities of petrochemical, nuclear, metallurgy industries.