Specifications

Approved December 11, 2025

Covered Products
  • Beds
  • Bookcases and shelving
  • Chairs and stools
  • Desks
  • Dressers/wardrobes
  • Filing and storage cabinets
  • Lounge furniture (e.g., couches, side chairs)
  • Tables
  • Systems furniture (e.g., modular workstations)
  • Walls/partitions
  • Other miscellaneous furniture
Exclusions
Minimum Requirements

Furniture MUST have at least one of the following sustainability attributes, presented in order of preference:

  1. Surplus property
  2. Used/secondhand, remanufactured, refurbished, or reupholstered
  3. One of the following certifications:
  4. One of the following certifications:
  5. Certified low-emitting by one of the following:
Additional Desirable Attributes

Products are ENCOURAGED to have one or more of the following sustainability attributes:

Product Compliance with NY State Sustainability Policies

Many products meeting this GreenNY Specification align with the following NYS sustainability policies:

  • Executive Order 22: Leading by Example: Directing State Agencies to Adopt a Sustainability and Decarbonization Program
  • Pollution Prevention Policy
  • Prohibition Against Brominated Flame Retardants
  • Prohibition on the Purchase of Tropical Hardwood Products
  • Regulation of Chemicals in Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses, and Electronic Enclosures
  • Transfer and Disposal of Personal Property Law

Resources

Sample Contract Language

To support compliance with NYS policies and GreenNY procurement requirements, contract managers are encouraged to incorporate the GreenNY Sample Contract Language into bid solicitations and contracts. The GreenNY sample contract language covers the following topics:

  • GreenNY Sales Reporting
  • Packaging Language
  • Product Labeling per GreenNY Specifications
  • Takeback Services
  • Verification of Vendor Compliance with GreenNY Requirements and Documentation of Desirable Attributes and Other Environmental Claims
Product-Specific Sample Contract Language

In addition to the GreenNY Sample Contract Language, contract managers are encouraged to include the following language in vendor contracts involving Furniture:

Pursuant to the Furniture and mattresses section of NYS Regulation of Chemicals In Upholstered Furniture, Mattresses and Electronic Enclosures (ECL § 37-1003), vendors shall not sell or offer for sale furniture or mattresses that contain intentionally added flame retardant chemicals.

Pursuant to NYS Prohibition against brominated flame retardants law, (ECL § 37-0111), vendors shall not manufacture, process, or distribute products containing more than 0.1% of pentabrominated diphenyl ether or octabrominated diphenyl ether, by mass.

Pursuant to NYS Prohibition on the Purchase of Tropical Hardwood Products law (STF § 165) no government agency, political subdivision, or public benefit corporation of the state may purchase or obtain any tropical hardwood or tropical hardwood products in any form, except if hardwoods are purchased from a sustained, managed forest.

At the request of the purchaser, the vendor must provide verification of compliance with ECL § 37-1003, ECL § 37-0111, and STF § 165.

Verification documentation may cover multiple products that are distributed, sold, or offered for sale by an individual vendor. The following types of verification documentation will be accepted:

  • Third-party certification
  • Product test results
  • Compliance certification or affidavit signed by the manufacturer
  • Other acceptable documentation as approved by the purchaser

Definitions

  • Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCRC) – A material that has served its intended use and has been collected in a municipal or commercial recycling program and incorporated into new materials or products. PCRC does not include pre-consumer recycled content (also referred to as post-industrial recycled content), which is material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process.
  • Remanufactured/Refurbished – A product that has been repaired using a combination of used and new parts to restore it to a like-new condition.
  • Reupholstered – A product whose fabric and padding components have been replaced to restore it to a like-new condition. This is commonly done to seating and other furniture.
  • Secondhand – Products that have been previously owned and used.
  • Surplus Property – Physical property owned by New York State that has been determined to be no longer useful or needed by the State entity. This includes, but is not limited to furniture, vehicles, and electronics. See the Office of General Services website for more information.
  • Takeback Program – An initiative where a manufacturer or retailer collects and recycles products and/or packaging at the end of their useful lives. Takeback programs can be voluntary or mandated by legislation.