Haworth · Office Chairs
Haworth Fern Digital Knit Office Chair
Lower-concern furniture choice; no known PFAS triggers, but Haworth's silence on supply chain leaves room for residual doubt.
The Fern Digital Knit chair is upholstered in knit fabric (typically polyester/cotton blend) with standard foam and aluminum components, materials not inherently associated with intentional PFAS use. Haworth makes no public PFAS claims or certifications, which is typical for office furniture but limits assurance.
Shop Haworth on Amazon →Material
Knit fabric upholstery, aluminum base, polyurethane foam
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
The Fern uses a knit fabric upholstery (likely polyester or polyester-blend), polyurethane foam padding, and an aluminum base. Knit textiles in office chairs are chosen for durability and breathability, avoiding the flame-retardant chemical loads common in woven uphol steries. The polyurethane foam is a standard cushioning material; modern office-grade PU is not known to off-gas problematic VOCs in normal indoor conditions. The aluminum base is chemically inert and does not leach into food or skin contact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Haworth is a major commercial office furniture manufacturer with ISO 14001 environmental certification and publishes sustainability reports, but does not provide detailed chemical transparency on individual product lines. The brand has no known safety recalls or material controversies in publicly available records. However, Haworth's silence on PFAS supply-chain practices and full chemical disclosures leaves residual uncertainty typical of large furniture makers; they do not publish third-party test results for this specific chair model.
How it compares in its category
Office chairs with knit-fabric upholstery and PU foam are the mid-to-premium segment standard and generally carry lower chemical risk than chairs with vinyl, mesh treated with antimicrobial agents, or fire-retardant-laden padding. This product aligns with mainstream commercial office seating; it does not stand out as exceptionally low-chemical or exceptionally risky. Alternatives with fabric from certified sustainable suppliers or chairs with fully disclosed material certs may offer more transparency but often at higher cost.
If you buy it
Air out the chair in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours after unboxing to allow any residual odors from manufacturing and transport to dissipate. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight on the upholstery, which can degrade polyester over time. Vacuum or lint-roll the knit fabric regularly to prevent dust and microfiber accumulation. If stains occur, use mild soap and water or upholstery cleaner; do not soak or expose the foam to excess moisture, as this can promote mold.
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.”
Polyurethane foam off-gassing
PU foam can emit low-level VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the first 1-2 weeks after manufacture, especially if stored or transported in warm conditions. Office-grade PU is formulated to minimize this, but no independent test data for this specific chair model is publicly available.
Synthetic textile (polyester) durability and fiber shedding
Knit polyester upholstery sheds microfibers with extended wear and friction. While microfiber inhalation risk from a seated chair is low, accumulation of shed fibers on furniture and floor is common; regular vacuuming mitigates this.
Formaldehyde or azo dyes in fabric dyeing
No recalls or reports of formaldehyde-resin finishes or toxic azo dyes in Haworth office-chair textiles. Premium commercial grade fabrics typically avoid these hazards, but Haworth does not publish dye certifications for this product.
Flame retardants in foam or fabric
Commercial office chairs in the US are subject to Cal TB 117 compliance; PU foam and knit textiles in this product category may contain brominated or chlorinated flame retardants if mandated by regulation. Haworth does not disclose whether this chair uses treated or untreated foam; modern alternatives exist but are not standard in this price tier.
Aluminum base corrosion or leaching
The aluminum base is anodized or powder-coated in standard office furniture; it does not contact food or skin and does not leach into indoor air. No hazard is established for this material in seated use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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.