Sedus · Office Chairs
Article Passo Mid-Century Design Modern Furniture Office Chair
Lower PFAS concern; standard office chair materials pose minimal risk but no transparency.
The Sedus Passo is a mid-century office chair with typical upholstered construction (fabric, foam padding, hard base). No public disclosure of PFAS-related treatments, coatings, or stain resistance features.
Shop Sedus on Amazon →Material
Upholstered office chair (fabric/foam/base)
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 Article Passo is an upholstered office chair combining fabric or leather upholstery, polyurethane foam cushioning, and a plastic or metal base. Polyurethane foam is the primary concern material here: it can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the first weeks of use, though emissions typically decline rapidly. The fabric covering acts as a partial barrier to direct skin contact with foam. Base material (plastic or metal) poses minimal leaching risk under normal office conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sedus is a German office furniture manufacturer with a sustainability-focused brand positioning, but public disclosure of chemical testing or certifications for this specific model is limited in available sources. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies are documented for Article-branded Sedus products. The brand does not prominently advertise third-party certifications (e.g., Greenguard, Oeko-Tex) for typical office chair lines, which suggests either standard industry-level compliance or absence of independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Office chairs universally use polyurethane foam and synthetic upholstery; the Passo sits in the mainstream mid-range segment with no differentiated safety profile. Premium ergonomic brands sometimes pursue low-VOC foam or certified fabrics, while budget alternatives may use lower-grade foams with higher off-gassing. Sedus's German manufacturing standards typically meet EU chemical limits, which are more stringent than US baselines, positioning this chair favorably relative to budget imports.
If you buy it
Unpack and air the chair in a ventilated space for 24-48 hours before heavy use to allow initial VOC off-gassing. Do not expose the chair to sustained heat above 60°C (140°F) or prolonged direct sunlight, which can accelerate foam degradation. Vacuum or lightly damp-wipe fabric quarterly; avoid harsh solvents on upholstery. If foam develops visible deterioration or crumbling after 5-7 years of daily use, consider replacement to avoid microparticle exposure.
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 (VOC emissions)
Standard polyurethane foam in office chairs emits VOCs (toluene, isocyanates, other organic compounds) most heavily during the first 2-4 weeks. Exposure is typically mild in well-ventilated offices and poses low risk for most users; hypersensitive individuals or those with asthma may experience mild irritation.
Formaldehyde in fabric resins or dyes
No public records indicate formaldehyde-based treatments in Sedus/Article chair fabrics. Likelihood is low for a mid-market European brand, but independent lab testing would be required to confirm absence. Standard industry practice in EU manufacturing minimizes formaldehyde use.
Azo dyes or heavy metals in upholstery colorants
No specific safety alerts or recalls document problematic dyes or pigment contamination in this model. EU textile regulations restrict hazardous azo dyes; Sedus's German production likely complies. Risk is low but unverified without third-party fabric certification.
Flame retardant chemicals in foam or fabric
Office chairs often incorporate flame retardants in foam or fabric backing to meet fire codes (e.g., BIFMA, UK BS5852). These are typically brominated or phosphorus-based compounds. No specific formulation is documented for the Passo; Sedus likely uses low-hazard options, but transparency is absent.
Plastic base or armrest leaching (BPA, plasticizers)
Office chair bases and fasteners are not typically exposed to food, skin contact, or heat stress; leaching risk is negligible. Sedus likely uses engineering-grade plastics compliant with EU limits. Direct concern is minimal in this application.
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.