Seventh Tree · Office Chairs
Branch Softside Chair
Insufficient public data; softside chair fabric PFAS risk is low-to-moderate but unverified by brand.
Seventh Tree does not publicly disclose PFAS treatment details for the Branch Softside Chair. Softside upholstery typically poses lower PFAS risk than water-repellent textiles, but some fabric finishes may contain PFAS. No third-party certification or lab testing is publicly available for this product.
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softside upholstery (likely polyester/fabric blend)
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 Branch Softside Chair uses a fabric or polyester-blend upholstery, typical of mid-range office furniture. Softside (non-leather) upholstery often contains synthetic fibers that may be treated with flame retardants, sizing chemicals, or dyes to meet flammability codes. The underlying frame and cushioning materials are not specified in available public information, making a complete chemical profile difficult to assess. Polyester-dominant fabrics can shed microfibers under friction and may off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when new, though this risk diminishes over weeks of airing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Tree has not published detailed material safety data sheets, certifications (e.g., GREENGUARD, OEKO-TEX), or transparency reports for the Branch Softside Chair. The brand has made no public statements on flame retardant selection, heavy metals in dyes, or chemical testing protocols. No significant recalls or regulatory actions involving Seventh Tree products are recorded in public databases. The absence of disclosure is not proof of hazard, but it limits independent verification of chemical safety claims.
How it compares in its category
Mainstream office chair brands (Herman Miller, Steelcase, Autonomous) typically certify upholstery against GREENGUARD Gold or similar low-VOC standards; Seventh Tree does not advertise such certification for this model. Budget and mid-market softside chairs often use untested or proprietary flame retardant treatments without third-party verification. The Branch sits in a category where cost pressure may reduce chemical oversight compared to premium alternatives, though this does not guarantee hazard; many affordable chairs are safe when maintained properly.
If you buy it
Air out the chair in a well-ventilated space for 24 to 48 hours after unboxing to allow VOCs to disperse. Avoid prolonged skin contact with the fabric until off-gassing is complete, especially for sensitive individuals. Clean upholstery annually with a dry brush or vacuum to reduce dust and microfiber shedding; do not use harsh solvents unless the manufacturer specifies them. Replace the chair if seams tear, foam flattens unevenly, or the fabric shows heavy pilling or discoloration that suggests chemical breakdown.
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.”
Flame retardants in upholstery
Softside office chairs are legally required to meet flammability standards in many jurisdictions; the specific flame retardant used by Seventh Tree is not publicly disclosed. Legacy brominated or chlorinated retardants pose higher risk; modern phosphate-based alternatives are generally lower-hazard but still not publicly confirmed for this model.
VOC off-gassing from synthetic fabric and foam
New polyester-blend upholstery and cushioning foams commonly release volatile organic compounds in the first weeks of use. No toxicity data specific to the Branch chair is available, but off-gassing is a known characteristic of this product category and diminishes with airing.
Azo dyes and heavy metals in textile dyes
No public reports of banned azo dyes or heavy metal contamination in Seventh Tree upholstery; however, the brand provides no dye safety certification (e.g., OEKO-TEX Standard 100), leaving this unverified. Risk is typical for the category but unconfirmed for this specific product.
Microplastic shedding and fiber degradation
Polyester-dominant upholstery sheds microfibers during use through friction and wear. Direct health risk from inhalation or ingestion during normal office use is considered low, but accumulation in indoor air and potential long-term effects remain under study.
Frame and fastener corrosion or leachables
The chair's frame material (likely steel or aluminum alloy) and fastener composition are not disclosed. No recalls or complaints related to frame degradation or leaching are on record for this brand or model.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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.