The ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard was developed by a "Joint Committee" of stakeholders using a consensus process described by the American National Standards Institute.

The purpose of this voluntary standard is to provide measurable market-based definitions of progressively more sustainable furniture by establishing performance criteria that address environmental and social aspects throughout the supply chain. It addresses product-based characteristics in the general areas of materials, energy usage, human and ecosystem health, and social responsibility impacts. The standard was designed to allow for multiple levels of achievement and to provide an open alternative to proprietary protocols.