Recall Summary
| Recall number | 26735 |
| Issued by | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Date | 2026-09-03 |
| Company | Bureau Office, Inc. dba Branch, of New York, New York |
| Units affected | 16,000 |
| Severity | Not classified |
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled chairs immediately and contact Branch for a free repair kit consisting of a replacement backrest, installation instructions, three bolts and an Allen key. Consumers will be provided with instructions on how to determine if their backrests are included in the recall and will be asked to submit photos of the manufacture label and removed backrest to obtain a
Read the official U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice
bureau office recall notices matter to anyone sitting at a desk right now. On September 3, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of ergonomic chairs sold by Bureau Office, Inc. dba Branch, of New York, New York. The backrests on these chairs can detach. About 16,000 units are affected. A detaching backrest can send a seated person backward without warning. If you own a Branch ergonomic chair, this guide explains what to check and what to do next.
What the Bureau Office Recall Covers
The bureau office recall covers ergonomic chairs made by Bureau Office, Inc., which does business under the brand name Branch. The company is based in New York, New York. The CPSC assigned this action recall number 26735. The agency reports roughly 16,000 affected units in total.
Branch sells office seating directly to consumers and to businesses. As a result, some affected chairs may sit in home offices. Others may be in small company workspaces or coworking suites. In most cases, a single purchase order covered several chairs at once. Check every chair from the same order, not just one.
The CPSC notice does not publish a public list of model numbers in the agency summary. However, the remedy process is built to sort this out for you. Branch will provide instructions to help you determine whether your specific backrest falls within the bureau office recall. That determination is based on the manufacture label and the backrest itself.
Branch is also contacting all known purchasers directly. For example, if you bought through an account tied to your email address, expect a message. Typically, direct-to-consumer brands have strong purchase records. That makes outreach easier than with products sold through many third-party retailers.
The Hazard and Reported Injuries
The hazard in this bureau office recall is specific. The backrests of the chairs can detach. When a backrest separates while someone leans against it, the person can fall. The CPSC describes this plainly as a fall hazard to consumers.
Office chair falls are not trivial. A person leaning back has body weight committed rearward. If support disappears, there is no time to correct. Head, neck, and back injuries are possible in that kind of fall. Nearby hard surfaces such as desks, filing cabinets, or floors increase the risk.
Importantly, the agency reports no injuries at the time of the notice. That is a meaningful fact and it should not be overstated in either direction. No reported injuries does not mean the hazard is theoretical. It means the defect was identified before harm was documented, which is how a recall is supposed to work.
This recall is also listed as not classified for severity. Some agencies assign formal severity tiers to recalls. In this case, no such classification appears in the record. The absence of a tier is not a statement that the risk is low.
| Recall number | 26735 |
|---|---|
| Issuing agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Recall date | September 3, 2026 |
| Company | Bureau Office, Inc. dba Branch, of New York, New York |
| Product | Ergonomic Chairs |
| Units affected | 16,000 |
| Hazard | Backrests can detach, posing a fall hazard |
| Reported injuries | None reported at time of notice |
| Severity classification | Not classified |
What To Do If You Own This Product
Stop using the recalled chair immediately. That is the CPSC’s direct instruction. Do not keep using it lightly, and do not let a child spin in it. Move it out of daily rotation until the repair is done.
Next, contact Branch about the bureau office recall. The company is offering a free repair kit. The kit contains a replacement backrest, installation instructions, three bolts, and an Allen key. There is no cost to the consumer for this remedy.
Branch will give you instructions on how to determine whether your backrest is included. You will be asked to submit photos. Specifically, you will need a photo of the manufacture label and a photo of the removed backrest. Take clear, well-lit pictures so the review is not delayed.
Keep records throughout the process. For example, save your order confirmation, the recall correspondence, and the photos you submit. Note the dates of every contact. Documentation helps if a question arises later, and it costs you nothing to keep. The official CPSC notice for this bureau office recall is posted at cpsc.gov.
Does a Bureau Office Recall Mean You Can Sue?
No. A recall is not a lawsuit. This is the single most misunderstood point in consumer safety coverage, so it is worth stating plainly. A bureau office recall is a safety action taken to remove or repair a defective product.
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A recall by itself is not a legal claim. Nobody becomes a plaintiff because a product they own was recalled. In most cases, the recall remedy is the whole story. You get the repair kit, you install the new backrest, and the matter ends there.
Legal claims generally require more than a defect notice. Typically, a person must show an actual injury and a causal link between the product defect and that injury. Damages such as medical bills or lost income also matter. Those elements are fact-specific and vary by state law.
If you were hurt while using one of these chairs, you may be eligible to pursue a claim. That is not a promise of compensation, and no one can guarantee an outcome. Speak with a licensed attorney in your state who handles product liability matters. Bring your purchase records, medical records, and the chair itself if you still have it.
How Recalls Connect to Mass Tort Cases
Recalls and lawsuits are separate, but they sometimes intersect. A recall notice creates a documented record. It identifies the product, the defect, and the date the manufacturer or agency acknowledged a problem. As a result, that record can later become evidence if litigation develops.
History offers clear examples. The Takata airbag inflator recalls became one of the largest automotive recall events ever, and extensive litigation followed as injuries were reported. Philips recalled millions of CPAP and BiPAP devices in 2021 over foam degradation, and multidistrict litigation followed. However, in both instances the lawsuits arose from documented injuries and damages, not from the recall notice alone.
That distinction applies here. There is no verified lawsuit connected to this bureau office recall, and none should be assumed. The CPSC record reports no injuries at the time of the notice. The responsible step for owners is simple: stop using the chair, get the free repair kit, and keep your paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my chair is part of the bureau office recall?
Branch will provide instructions for checking your specific backrest. You will be asked to photograph the manufacture label and the removed backrest. The company is also contacting known purchasers directly, so check the email tied to your order.
Does the bureau office recall cost me anything?
No. The repair kit is free. It includes a replacement backrest, installation instructions, three bolts, and an Allen key.
Can I keep using the chair until my kit arrives?
The CPSC says to stop using the recalled chairs immediately. Do not wait for the kit to arrive before setting the chair aside. Use a different chair in the meantime.
Were You Injured by a Recalled Product?
A recall by itself is a safety action, not a legal claim. However, if a recalled product caused a real injury, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. A licensed attorney can review your situation at no upfront cost — most work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover.
Official Sources & Resources
Verify every recall against the issuing agency before acting:
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: official recall database — the record of truth for this notice
- CPSC: cpsc.gov — household goods, toys, furniture, appliances
- FDA: fda.gov — food, drugs, and medical devices
- NHTSA: nhtsa.gov — vehicles, tires, and child car seats
- USDA FSIS: fsis.usda.gov — meat, poultry, and egg products
Content last reviewed September 2026. This is general educational information, not legal advice. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
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Attorney Advertising. The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. A product recall is a safety action by a manufacturer or regulator and does not by itself establish liability or create a legal claim. No attorney-client relationship is created by accessing or using this content. Every case is unique. If you believe you were harmed by a recalled product, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.