Branch · Office Chairs
Branch Furniture Softside Office Chair
Lower-concern choice, office chairs rarely require PFAS coatings, but no public disclosure confirms this.
Branch Softside office chairs are upholstered furniture without nonstick, waterproofing, or stain-resistance treatments that typically require PFAS. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS absence or testing, but the product category and materials used suggest lower PFAS risk than treated textiles or water-resistant gear.
Shop Branch on Amazon →Material
foam padding, fabric upholstery, base materials (no nonstick/waterproof coatings typical)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Branch Softside chairs use polyurethane foam padding and synthetic fabric upholstery over a plastic or metal base. Polyurethane foam can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing and initial use, but this diminishes rapidly over days to weeks. The upholstery fabric is typically polyester or polyester-blend, which carries minimal hazard in static office conditions but can shed microfibers if abraded repeatedly or washed improperly.
The brand's record and disclosure
Branch does not publish detailed material safety data, certifications, or chemical disclosure statements for this chair model. The company has no known recalls or safety controversies on record for this product line. Absence of third-party certification (e.g., CertiPUR-US for foam, OEKO-TEX for fabric) means you cannot verify supplier chemistry claims independently.
How it compares in its category
Branch's softside chairs are positioned as budget-friendly office seating. They lack premium certifications common in higher-end brands (Herman Miller, Steelcase publish material specs; many use CertiPUR-US foam). However, the basic construction and material types used here are standard across the mid-market segment and carry comparable chemical profiles to competitors at this price point.
If you buy it
Air out the chair in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours after unboxing to allow initial VOC off-gassing to decline. Do not expose it to direct heat sources, prolonged sunlight, or moisture, as these can degrade foam and fabric faster. Vacuum upholstery monthly to reduce dust and fiber accumulation. Replace the chair if foam compresses permanently, fabric tears extensively, or base cracks, as degraded foam may emit additional compounds.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam is a known source of low-level VOC emissions, particularly in the first 1-2 weeks. Office environments with poor ventilation may accumulate these. No specific test data for this Branch model is publicly available.
Flame retardants in foam or fabric
Many office chair foams contain brominated or phosphate-based flame retardants to meet fire codes. Branch does not disclose whether this chair uses treated or untreated foam. Treated foam poses low inhalation risk during normal use but may leach if foam is damaged or saturated with liquid.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers in synthetic upholstery or adhesives
Polyester fabrics and fabric-to-foam adhesives can contain formaldehyde-releasing resins as binders or preservatives. Levels are typically low in finished office furniture, but no independent testing of this product is available.
Microfiber shedding from synthetic upholstery during wear
Polyester or polyester-blend upholstery sheds microscopic fibers during friction and use. This is a general property of synthetic textiles, not a defect. Exposure is minimal in seated office use; risk increases only with aggressive rubbing or washing.
Heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in dyes or pigments on fabric
No recalls or test results for Branch chair upholstery have identified heavy-metal contamination. Standard textile manufacturing in modern suppliers is regulated against these; risk is low in the office furniture segment.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More office chairs grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.