SMaRT is distinguished from other certification programs as follows: it is a transparent, consensus, quantified sustainable product standard that measures environmental benefits throughout the global supply chain.

SMaRT was developed by The Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS), a non-profit group that brings together a powerful coalition of sustainable product manufacturers, environmental groups, and key state and local government leaders with the goal of increasing the sale and market share of sustainable products.

Commenting on the certification, Lou Newett, Knoll Environmental, Health and Safety Manager, said: "Each year Knoll sets key initiatives in our journey to sustainability and takes a leadership position in establishing universal environmental standards for our industry."

"SMaRT," continued Newett, "is consistent with our holistic approach to sustainability because it considers all three criteria of the sustainability triple bottom line: environmental, social and economic impacts. We believe this standard is the most meaningful certification tool for sustainable products; it's also adopted by the American Institute of Architects, ANSI (American National Standards Institute) LEED®, Capital Markets Partnership, BigGreenPurse.com, Sustainable Furniture Council, City of Santa Monica and Fireman's Fund."

SMaRT product certification is based on the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED model. Requirements include:

• GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification at the stringent California 01350 standard;
• The completion of a Life Cycle Assessment: a science-based measurement of a product's environmental impacts throughout its life cycle, from raw materials sourcing through manufacturing, shipping, use, and re-use or end-of-life;
• No polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other toxic chemicals

Knoll achieved the Sustainable Gold rating for the Life chair following a review of the certification process by Ernst & Young's Global Sustainable Auditing Group.

The Life chair was designed for Knoll by New Zealand-based Formway Design, a recognized leader in the design of environmentally-conscious furniture, in accordance with the Knoll "Design for the Environment guidelines," which define sustainable practices for the total design, development and manufacturing of a Knoll product.

As a result, Life features: Minimal materials; recycled and recyclable content; environmental fabric options; and easily replaceable parts. Life assembly minimizes energy use and emissions.

In addition, Life is manufactured in the Knoll LEED Gold and ISO 14001 certified Lubin Building in East Greenville, PA, using clean technologies. In 2008, Knoll initiated a program to offset greenhouse gases at this site with electricity generated by wind power.

About Knoll

Since 1938, Knoll has been recognized internationally for creating workplace and residential furnishings that inspire, evolve and endure. Today, our commitment to modern design, our understanding of the workplace and our dedication to sustainable design has yielded a unique portfolio of products that respond and adapt to changing needs. Knoll is aligned with the U.S. Green Building Council and can help companies, healthcare organizations and educational institutions achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) workplace certification. Knoll is the contract furniture industry's first member of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX®) and is the founding sponsor of the World Monuments Fund Modernism at Risk program.

Life More

Knoll and Environmental Sustainability More

Contacts:

David E. Bright
Knoll, Inc.
212 343-4135
dbright@knoll.com

Simon Kawitzky
Knoll, Inc.
212 343-4030
skawitzky@knoll.com