Knoll · Office Chairs
Generation Chair by Knoll
Lower concern than treated textiles, but Knoll provides no PFAS transparency, ask before buying.
The Generation Chair is a multi-material office seating product where PFAS risk depends on its specific upholstery fabric and any applied finishes. Knoll does not publicly disclose PFAS use or absence in this product.
Shop Knoll on Amazon →Material
upholstered seating with metal/plastic frame; fabric composition varies by version
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 Generation Chair uses a combination of upholstered fabric (varies by colorway and configuration), injection-molded plastic components, and aluminum or steel frames. The fabric composition is not consistently disclosed by Knoll across product variants, meaning some versions may use synthetic blends that could contain formaldehyde-releasing resins or dyes that are not clearly labeled. The plastic frame components are typically polypropylene or similar commodity plastics, which do not inherently leach under normal office conditions but offer no published chemical transparency. Without material certifications like Cradle to Cradle or Greenguard, the exact chemical inputs remain opaque.
The brand's record and disclosure
Knoll markets itself as a design-forward commercial furniture maker but does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or chemical inventories for most seating lines. The company has not made public commitments to PFAS phase-out and does not advertise third-party certifications specific to chemical safety on the Generation model. Knoll has faced no major recalls or safety controversies related to this chair model in public records. Their corporate sustainability messaging emphasizes design longevity rather than material chemistry transparency, which is typical for their market segment but leaves consumers without direct guidance on hazardous substance avoidance.
How it compares in its category
The Generation Chair sits in the mid-market commercial seating category alongside Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Hon. Most competitors in this tier also lack comprehensive fabric chemical disclosure, though Herman Miller and Steelcase have published broader environmental claims and some fabric certifications. The Generation is not positioned as a low-chemical or health-focused product (unlike niche brands offering organic cotton or low-VOC options), so it carries typical commercial office-chair chemical exposure profiles. Its plastic and metal components are standard for the category and do not distinguish it as higher or lower risk than equivalently priced alternatives.
If you buy it
Before purchasing, request specific fabric content and ask Knoll directly whether the upholstery contains PFAS, formaldehyde resins, or azo dyes; document their response. Avoid placing the chair in direct sunlight or high heat (>50°C) for prolonged periods, as this can accelerate off-gassing of any residual volatile compounds from the plastic frame. Inspect the fabric seams and underside for wear annually; if upholstery degrades, have it professionally reupholstered rather than attempting DIY repairs that could disturb any protective surface treatments. Ventilate the space normally after delivery and during the first few weeks of use to disperse any manufacturing residues.
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.”
Formaldehyde-releasing resins in upholstered fabric
Knoll does not disclose whether the Generation's fabric uses formaldehyde-releasing dyes or finishing resins. Most commercial upholstery in this price range uses standard industrial dyes and flame-retardant or wrinkle-resistant finishes that may contain formaldehyde donors, but this is not confirmed for this specific model.
Plastic off-gassing (frame and components)
Injection-molded plastic components in the armrests, seat back, and base may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the first weeks of use, particularly if exposed to heat or dry indoor office environments. No certifications like Greenguard are published for the Generation Chair to rule this out.
Azo dyes in fabric colorways
Knoll's fabric selection across the Generation line is not stated to exclude azo dyes, which are used in many synthetic and blend upholstery textiles and can cause skin irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals with prolonged contact.
Flame retardant chemical additives
Commercial office furniture is often treated with flame retardants to meet fire safety codes; Knoll does not specify which flame retardant chemistry (if any) is used in the Generation's upholstery, so the type and persistence of these additives cannot be assessed.
Heavy metal pigments in dyed fabrics
No recalls or reports of heavy metal contamination (lead, cadmium, chromium) in Generation Chair upholstery are on record. Standard commercial dyes do not typically contain high levels of these metals, but Knoll's lack of transparency prevents full verification.
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.