What are the advantages of furniture testing?

The advantages of furniture testing are: Safety and quality: Furniture inspection ensures that furniture meets the highest safety and quality standards. Market: Furniture inspection helps to meet legal requirements for entering domestic and international markets. Customer satisfaction: Furniture testing strengthens consumers' trust in the brand through tested and reliable products. Risk reduction: Furniture inspection reduces the risk of product recalls and legal consequences. Competitive advantage: Furniture testing helps to differentiate oneself from competitors through proven product quality and safety.

What types of furniture does TÜV SÜD test?

TÜV SÜD tests a wide range of furniture types to ensure their safety and quality. The most important categories are: Outdoor furniture: Outdoor furniture is tested for safety and reliability to minimise risks. Directives such as the EN 581-1, -2, -3 series of standards set out the safety requirements for various outdoor furniture items, from seating to tables and park benches. Home furniture: This category includes a wide range of products such as all kinds of seating, tables, and shelves. There are specific standards for each type of furniture, including special requirements for furniture with electric motor drives. Furniture for educational institutions: The tests ensure that this furniture is robust and safe for use in kindergartens, schools and universities. Laboratory furniture: This furniture must meet special requirements in terms of chemical resistance and safety.

What specific tests are part of the furniture test lab at TÜV SÜD?

TÜV SÜD's furniture test lab offers a variety of specific tests to ensure the safety, quality and compliance of the furniture. Here is an overview of the most important tests: Mechanical safety/functional safety: tests on the stability, resilience and functionality of the furniture to ensure that it can withstand the mechanical requirements Chemical tests: Analysis for contaminants and chemical safety to ensure that furniture does not contain substances that are hazardous to health International market approvals: Support in compliance with international standards and regulations to facilitate global market access Special tests tailored to the requirements of different industries: Prototype tests: Tests on prototypes to verify design and functional quality before mass production Flammability tests: Tests to verify the fire resistance of furniture and materials Partial and component tests according to customer requirements: Tailor-made testing of specific parts and components according to requirements Workshops (online or in the lab): Training and workshops to support product development and testing Development-related tests: The early involvement of TÜV SÜD in a new development prevents cost-intensive product changes later on.

What pollutants are furniture tested for?

TÜV SÜD's experts are familiar with the specific standards and requirements for different types of furniture and use chemical testing to ensure that the products do not contain any prohibited harmful substances. For example, furniture is tested for pollutants such as formaldehyde, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium), plasticizers (phthalates), flame retardants, pesticides, organotin compounds and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

How often do I have to have my furniture tested?

It makes sense to carry out furniture tests during product development. At the latest, before market launch, an independent testing institute should be engaged to ensure that the product complies with the Product Safety Act and, if necessary, the mandatory guidelines and regulations. Regular Testing during series production is useful to ensure that the furniture continues to meet the requirements. This also applies to significant changes or further developments.

When is the perfect time for furniture testing in the development process?

The perfect time for furniture inspection is during the prototype phase and before series production to ensure early on that all safety and quality standards are met.

Furniture testing and inspection services

In an evolving world where our homes double as workspaces and trends like 'New Work' redefine conventional offices, the demand for high-quality, functional, and innovative furniture remains constant. Not only are the staples of product safety, quality, design, and longevity expected, but the increased emphasis on furniture testing, electrification, and sustainability of furniture has also become a significant concern.

TÜV SÜD provides active support to manufacturers and distributors, facilitating efficient navigation through the complexities of these regulations. Our services in furniture testing expedite the path to both national and international markets, assuring mandatory product safety. We stay abreast of the shifting landscape of normative and legal requirements, offering comprehensive furniture testing and inspection services for manufacturers.

TESTING OF OUTDOOR FURNITURE

Outdoor furniture testing

The comprehensive testing of outdoor furniture is integral to ensuring that your products uphold safety, thereby identifying and minimising any potential risks.

This rigorous evaluation is guided by the series of EN 581-1, EN 581-2, and EN 581-3 standards, which collectively encompass all pertinent safety requirements for outdoor furniture.

Part 1 - tackles general safety elements such as shearing and crimping points and general safety

Part 2 - outlines specific guidelines for seating furniture like chairs and armchairs
Part 3 - provides guidelines for ensuring the stability, strength and durability

These furniture testing standards make distinct considerations for different application areas, whether it's for camping, residential use (like balconies, terraces, or gardens), or commercial settings (like outdoor eateries, beer gardens, or beach clubs), all of which are incorporated into our TÜV SÜD test programme.

As a manufacturer or distributor of high standard furniture, particularly for outdoor use, you bear the responsibility of ensuring that your products are safe and comply with all relevant standards. Our comprehensive furniture testing services will provide the guidance and assurance you need in this process.

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TESTING OF HOME FURNITURE

Indoor home furniture

Each type of furniture, whether it's chairs, tables, or beds, is subject to its unique set of regulations. Additionally, separate standards are in place for items like slatted frames, all of which we diligently check under our furniture product testing services.

Through our living furniture testing services, manufacturers and distributors can gain the assurance that their products comply with all necessary standards and regulations.

TÜV SÜD also provides Inspection services for furniture, we check:

Children furniture

Outdoor furniture

Home furniture

Mattresses

During the on-site inspection, we can carry out the following checks:

Assembly check
Practical test
Stability check
Load check
Function check
Moisture check
Measurement check
Product-specific checks based on requirements

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BENEFITS OF FURNITURE testing

Expert guidance through product development stages and the entire product life cycle, including considerations like the weight of furniture and furniture sustainability.
A full range of service and furniture testing offerings from a single, dependable provider.
Time and cost-effective certification process, benefitting from years of hands-on experience.
Enhances customer confidence by validating the safety and ergonomic considerations, thus minimising any potential hazard.

OUR SERVICES FOR THE FURNITURE SECTOR

RELATED SERVICES

Strength and durability tests	Packaging tests
Flammability tests	Benchmark tests
Tests according to current standards and internal test bases (e.g. B. DIN, EN, ISO, BS, IS)	Creation of product specification
Sustainability Services	Partial examinations on customer request
FSC/PEFC audits	Trainings (workshops, training, technical discussions)

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STEPS FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT

FAQs – the most frequently asked questions and answers

What are the advantages of furniture testing? 
The advantages of furniture testing are:
- Safety and quality: Furniture inspection ensures that furniture meets the highest safety and quality standards.
- Market: Furniture inspection helps to meet legal requirements for entering domestic and international markets.
- Customer satisfaction: Furniture testing strengthens consumers' trust in the brand through tested and reliable products.
- Risk reduction: Furniture inspection reduces the risk of product recalls and legal consequences.
- Competitive advantage: Furniture testing helps to differentiate oneself from competitors through proven product quality and safety.
What types of furniture does TÜV SÜD test? 
TÜV SÜD tests a wide range of furniture types to ensure their safety and quality. The most important categories are:
- Outdoor furniture: Outdoor furniture is tested for safety and reliability to minimise risks. Directives such as the EN 581-1, -2, -3 series of standards set out the safety requirements for various outdoor furniture items, from seating to tables and park benches.
- Home furniture: This category includes a wide range of products such as all kinds of seating, tables, and shelves. There are specific standards for each type of furniture, including special requirements for furniture with electric motor drives.
- Furniture for educational institutions: The tests ensure that this furniture is robust and safe for use in kindergartens, schools and universities.
- Laboratory furniture: This furniture must meet special requirements in terms of chemical resistance and safety.
What specific tests are part of the furniture test lab at TÜV SÜD? 
TÜV SÜD's furniture test lab offers a variety of specific tests to ensure the safety, quality and compliance of the furniture. Here is an overview of the most important tests:
- Mechanical safety/functional safety: tests on the stability, resilience and functionality of the furniture to ensure that it can withstand the mechanical requirements
- Chemical tests: Analysis for contaminants and chemical safety to ensure that furniture does not contain substances that are hazardous to health
- International market approvals: Support in compliance with international standards and regulations to facilitate global market access
Special tests tailored to the requirements of different industries:
- Prototype tests: Tests on prototypes to verify design and functional quality before mass production
- Flammability tests: Tests to verify the fire resistance of furniture and materials
- Partial and component tests according to customer requirements: Tailor-made testing of specific parts and components according to requirements
- Workshops (online or in the lab): Training and workshops to support product development and testing
- Development-related tests: The early involvement of TÜV SÜD in a new development prevents cost-intensive product changes later on.
What pollutants are furniture tested for?

TÜV SÜD's experts are familiar with the specific standards and requirements for different types of furniture and use chemical testing to ensure that the products do not contain any prohibited harmful substances.

For example, furniture is tested for pollutants such as formaldehyde, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium), plasticizers (phthalates), flame retardants, pesticides, organotin compounds and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
How often do I have to have my furniture tested?

It makes sense to carry out furniture tests during product development. At the latest, before market launch, an independent testing institute should be engaged to ensure that the product complies with the Product Safety Act and, if necessary, the mandatory guidelines and regulations.

Regular Testing during series production is useful to ensure that the furniture continues to meet the requirements. This also applies to significant changes or further developments.
When is the perfect time for furniture testing in the development process?

The perfect time for furniture inspection is during the prototype phase and before series production to ensure early on that all safety and quality standards are met.