About 16,000 Branch Ergonomic Chairs Recalled Over Fall Hazard 2026

Roughly 16,000 office chairs sold across the United States — plus another 180 units in Canada — are being pulled back by furniture company Branch after the chairs’ backrests were found to detach unexpectedly, creating a fall hazard for anyone seated in them. The recall, announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on September 3, 2026, covers a wide range of Branch’s popular height-adjustable ‘Ergonomic Chair’ line sold in multiple colorways and base styles.

According to the CPSC, the issue traces back to a manufacturing defect: certain backrest anchors were incorrectly installed at the factory. Chairs affected by the problem were manufactured between September 10, 2025 and April 22, 2026, and the manufacture date is printed on a label found underneath the chair’s seat cushion.

Which Items Are Involved?

The recall applies only to Branch Ergonomic Chairs with incorrectly installed backrest anchors, identifiable by specific SKU numbers printed on the side of the product packaging. The affected SKUs span 16 color and base combinations, including ‘Ergonomic Chair – Black / Black Standard’ (SKU 11-01-00-50-V5), ‘Ergonomic Chair – Pebble / White KD Base’ (SKU 11-01-00-53-V6), ‘Ergonomic Chair – Sand / White Standard’ (SKU 11-01-00-51-V5), ‘Ergonomic Chair – Graphite / White Standard’ (SKU 11-01-00-54-V5), ‘Ergonomic Chair – Light Blue / White KD Base’ (SKU 11-01-00-43-V6), ‘Ergonomic Chair – Poppy / White Standard’ (SKU 11-01-00-55-V5) and ‘Ergonomic Chair – Baltic / White KD Base’ (SKU 11-01-00-56-V6), among others.

The chairs were sold online at BranchFurniture.com, Amazon.com, WestElm.com, ContainerStore.com, OfficeDepot.com and other retail websites from approximately December 2025 through July 2026, priced between $320 and $350. They were manufactured in Thailand and imported by Bureau Office, Inc., doing business as Branch, based in New York.

What Went Wrong?

The core problem lies in how the backrest anchors were fitted during production. When installed incorrectly, the anchor connection is weaker than intended, and the backrest can separate from the rest of the chair frame during normal use. Branch has told regulators it received 11 reports of backrests detaching from the recalled chairs. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, but the company and CPSC are urging consumers not to wait for something to go wrong before taking action.

The core risk: a seated user leaning back could suddenly lose backrest support and fall, risking bruises, sprains or more serious injury, especially for anyone with limited mobility.

Where Were These Products Sold?

Because Branch sells primarily through e-commerce, the affected chairs reached buyers nationwide rather than in any single region. The recall was also issued in coordination with Canadian authorities, since roughly 180 of the flagged chairs were sold north of the border. Anyone who purchased a Branch Ergonomic Chair through the listed online retailers during the sales window should check whether their unit falls within the recalled manufacture dates.

What Consumers Need to Do Now

If you own one of the affected chairs, stop using it right away. Check the manufacture label underneath the seat cushion to confirm the production date, and compare your SKU against the recalled list printed on your original packaging. Branch is contacting all known purchasers directly, but consumers are encouraged to reach out proactively rather than wait.

Owners can request a free repair kit from Branch, which includes a replacement backrest, three bolts, an Allen key and step-by-step installation instructions. Consumers will first be asked to confirm whether their backrest is included in the recall and to submit photos of the manufacture label along with the removed backrest before a repair kit is shipped out. Requests can be made online at branchfurniture.com/recall, or by clicking ‘Recall Information’ in the Support section of the Branch website. Consumers can also reach the company directly by email at customersupport@branchfurniture.com.

From the Agency

The CPSC has published the recall under number 26-735 and continues to remind consumers that federal law prohibits resale of any product subject to a recall, whether ordered by the Commission or undertaken voluntarily in consultation with it. The agency encourages anyone who experiences an incident with a recalled product to file a report at SaferProducts.gov or call the CPSC hotline at 800-638-2772.