Sedus · Office Chairs
Open Up by Sedus: elevate your professional success
Lower PFAS concern likely, but no transparency on treatments or certifications.
Open Up is a standard modular office furniture system from Sedus with wood, metal, and fabric components. No public disclosure of PFAS-related treatments (e.g., stain resistance, water-repellent coating coatings) or third-party environmental certifications.
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Wood, metal, upholstered fabric (standard office furniture)
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
Open Up combines wood frames, metal structural components, and upholstered fabric seating. Wood and metal are inert in office furniture contexts and pose minimal leaching risk. The upholstered fabric is the primary material of concern, as synthetic textiles can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and may contain formaldehyde-based resins used in fabric finishing and dye-fixing processes. Sedus does not publicly disclose specific fabric certifications or VOC testing for this model, so off-gassing risk cannot be ruled out but is typical for the category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sedus is a long-established German office furniture manufacturer owned by Interstuhl and has a reputation for quality and standards compliance. The brand does not publish detailed material safety documentation, chemical inventories, or third-party certifications (such as Greenguard or Cradle to Cradle) on the Open Up line. No recalls, litigation, or published safety violations are on record for this product or brand. The PFAS disclosure silence reflects broader industry practice but does not indicate a safety problem, only lack of transparency.
How it compares in its category
Open Up is mid-to-premium in the office chair market. German-manufactured office chairs typically adhere to stricter EU material regulations than lower-cost imports, including limits on azo dyes, heavy metals in pigments, and formaldehyde residues. Competitors like Herman Miller and Steelcase publish more detailed sustainability and chemical certifications, giving them an edge in verifiable safety disclosure. Open Up is safer than unbranded budget chairs but offers less transparency than certified alternatives.
If you buy it
Unbox and air out the chair in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours to allow initial VOC off-gassing to dissipate. Avoid placing it in enclosed rooms with poor airflow for extended periods immediately after purchase. Inspect fabric seams and piping quarterly for wear; tears expose foam and internal structure to skin contact and dust accumulation. Rotate cushion orientation if the design allows, and vacuum upholstery monthly to prevent dust and allergen buildup. Do not apply harsh chemical cleaners; use damp microfiber or manufacturer-approved upholstery spot cleaners only.
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) from fabric finishing and dyes
Upholstered office chairs commonly off-gas VOCs from formaldehyde-based resins, dyes, and flame retardant treatments applied during textile manufacturing. Sedus does not publicly certify Open Up against low-VOC standards, so baseline risk is present but typical for non-certified office furniture in this price tier.
Formaldehyde residues in fabric finish
Synthetic upholstery fabrics often use formaldehyde-releasing resins for wrinkle resistance and dye fixation. No material safety data sheet or low-formaldehyde certification is published for Open Up, leaving this a standard but unverified risk for the product category.
Azo dyes and heavy metal pigments in textile coloring
German manufacturing and EU regulations restrict certain azo dyes and cadmium/lead pigments in consumer textiles. While Sedus does not disclose testing, the brand's established EU operations and lack of any safety record suggest compliance with these baselines, making this hazard less likely than for unbranded imports.
Flame retardant chemical treatments (polybromodiphenyl ethers or chlorinated phosphates)
Office chair upholstery fabrics are often treated with flame retardants to meet building codes. Sedus does not disclose which flame retardant chemistry is used in Open Up, and some proprietary formulations remain proprietary even in certification programs. Exposure risk during normal use is low, but this is an unverified component.
Foam degradation and off-gassing over time
Polyurethane foam cushioning in office chairs can degrade and release volatile compounds as it ages, especially in warm or humid environments. Sedus does not specify foam type (virgin vs. recycled) or include care instructions for long-term off-gassing management, so replacement timing guidance is absent.
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.