Certification mark for mattresses

The voluntary certification mark with the statement “Type tested” is issued for products and components, indicating that the product was tested and certified by the independent third-party organisation of TÜV SÜD Product Service for conformity with the essential technical safety requirements. The certification criteria vary depending on the products in question.

Periodic surveillance of the manufacturer of a product constitutes the basic premise for certification that includes the award of a certification mark. Certification always requires product testing and regular factory inspections.

As a third-party expert organisation, TÜV SÜD Product Service verifies that the manufacturer is able to maintain consistent quality in line with the requirements throughout high-volume production and has established the necessary quality system, including incoming goods inspections, lists of materials and finished product testing.

In addition, calibration of the necessary measuring and monitoring equipment must be ensured. Surveillance and/or monitoring covers the testing of safety-critical components and other materials used. If unauthorised changes are made to the product, certificate validity will expire and the TÜV SÜD certification mark may no longer be used.

The quality of the tested mattress was assessed as “Good”. This covers all ratings in the range between 1.6 and 2.4.

Testing is based on the EN 1957 standard (see Basis of certification). The standard prescribes 30,000 mechanical cycles to test mechanical durability. TÜV SÜD Product Service also simulates expected use over a period of at least five years, equivalent to 60,000 test cycles, and a total period of ten years, equivalent to a total of 120,000 test cycles.

In a test, a barrel-shaped roller similar to that described in EN 1957 is rolled over the mattress, simulating a sleeper’s body movements. Depending on the loss in mattress height and hardness under this and other stresses, the quality is graded from 1 to 5

Height loss after 30,000 and 120,000 cycles

• Grade 1         < 3mm
• Grade 2         ≥ 3mm–5.9mm
• Grade 3         ≥ 6mm–8.9mm
• Grade 4         ≥ 9mm–11.9mm       
• Grade 5         > 12mm

• Grade 1        < 8%
• Grade 2        ≥ 8%–11.9%
• Grade 3        ≥ 12%–15.9%
• Grade 4        ≥ 16%–19.9%
• Grade 5        ≥ 20%

Body support
Within the scope of assessment of body support, TÜV SÜD Product Service tested the following criteria:

1. Stability: To check stability, a load pad of 17.5 kg (hemispherical, 36 cm diameter) is dropped onto the mattress from a height of 30 cm and the vibrations of the mattress are measured. Depending on the extent of vibration and hardness or softness, the mattress is assigned a grade between 1 and 5

Stabilising after 30,000 and 120,000 cycles

• Grade 1         Only for systems with slatted frames that allow individual alignment
• Grade 2         4 – 5 vibrations (optimum value)
• Grade 3         3 – 2 vibrations (too hard)/6 – 7 (too soft)
• Grade 4         1 – 0 vibrations (too hard)/8 – 9 (too soft)
• Grade 5         >9 vibrations

2. Deformation Index: TÜV SÜD Product Service records the mattress's surface form by performing measurements with individuals of different heights and weights. Measurements cover the immersion (depth of sinking in) and the distance between two defined points. The test engineers summarise the angle resulting from the measurement in a deformation index, which is then evaluated from the perspective of industrial anthropology. In other words, the index shows mattress deformation caused by the body in various reclining positions. Depending on the mattress's deformation under load, the quality is graded from 1 to 5.

Deformation index after 30,000 and 120,000 cycles

• Grade 1         < 410
• Grade 2         410 – 420
• Grade 3         421 – 450
• Grade 4         451 – 480
• Grade 5         > 481

 

• Grade 1         < 20mmHg
• Grade 2         20mmHg – 69mmHg
• Grade 3         > 70mmHg

4. Contact area: This statement refers to the area of the body in contact with the surface of the mattress when the individual is reclining. The contact area is measured when an individual lies in a supine position on the mattress. Legs and arms are slightly spread. The result should be at least 30 percent, or preferably between 45 and 55 percent. The physiological upper limit of the contact area is 85 percent. For good support, the contact area should be neither too big nor too small. Depending on the contact area measured, a grade from 1 to 5 is assigned.

Contact area after 30,000 and 120,000 cycles

• Grade 1      46% – 55.9%
• Grade 2      36% – 45.9%/56% – 65.9%
• Grade 3      66% – 75.9%
• Grade 4      76 % – 84.9%/< 30%
• Grade 5      > 85%

5. Point elasticity: Point elasticity means that the mattress only yields where the body exercises direct pressure on the mattress. Mattresses with a high level of point elasticity are recommended as they provide more support to the body as a whole. Depending on the point elasticity measured, a grade from 1 to 3 will be assigned.

Point elasticity after 30,000 and 120,000 cycles

• Grade 1      > 65mm
• Grade 2      65mm – 45mm
• Grade 3      44.9mm–

 

 

Every year, the manufacturers of the certified mattresses must submit certificates for all materials used according to the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a third-party testing and certification system for raw, intermediate and finished textile products throughout all levels of processing.

The defined tests for hazardous materials cover chemicals banned by law, substances restricted by law, chemicals which are known to raise possible health concerns (but are not yet regulated by law) and healthcare parameters. Overall, the requirements significantly exceed the existing national laws.