Furniture Testing

Furniture Testing for Comfortable and Healthy Living

High-quality, safe furniture is a must for anyone who wants a comfortable home. Our experts test and certify all types of furniture – inspecting everything from materials to component ergonomics. We test products and issue a variety of quality certifications, such as the GS mark for safety-tested products. And with our TOXPROOF mark, you can show consumers that your products are non-toxic. We are members in national and international furniture committees, such as the European Committee for Standardization (Technical Committees CEN TC 207) and ISO TC 136.

Benefits at a Glance

With TÜV Rheinland's expertise, you can

  • Access a global network of experts with knowledge and advice for your specific products
  • Benefit from a comprehensive approach to safety and quality assurance
  • Assist customers with purchase decisions
  • Increase customers' confidence in the quality and reliability of your furniture

Our Services for Furniture

We offer the following tests for all types of furniture:

  • Durability, fatigue strength, shock resistance, and stability
  • Mechanical and physical and electrical safety tests
  • Material and surface tests
  • Ergonomic and functional testing, evaluations
  • Performance analyses and comparative tests
  • Testing and developing assembly instructions, manuals, and product information
  • Sensory testing
  • Tests for harmful substances and analyses such as RAL-UZ 38 Product Testing, Blue Angel
  • Hygiene tests and reports (e.g., for kitchen and bathroom furniture)
  • Durability and ageing tests
  • Microbiological tests and consultation (e.g., on a material's resistance to bacteria and fungi)
  • Fabric and upholstery tests
  • Flammability
  • Quality and performance
  • Verification of label claims

Test Marks and Test Programs

1. GS Mark

  • Design
  • Stability
  • Static and dynamic strength
  • Electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety

2. Q Mark
We test products for the following qualities:

  • Non-toxic
  • Ergonomic
  • Durable

3. TOXPROOF

  • Full-scale product tests in testing chambers: olfactometry, formaldehyde, phenol, isocyanate, TVOC, volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons
  • Material tests (e.g., for textiles and leather)

4. Ergonomics

  • User-friendly, ergonomic design
  • Physiological requirement analysis

5. Comfort and Quality

  • Safety tests
  • Functional tests
  • Development services

After each testing program, you can request and get a test report and certificate. Tests are based on the latest international standards. For example, consumer goods are tested for compliance with Dutch NEN standards or American ANSI/BIFMA standards of safety and durability.

Products We Test

  • Office furniture: office chairs, meeting chairs, desks, office cabinets, shelving, bookcases
  • Children's furniture: beds, cabinets, tables, cribs and chairs
  • Bedroom furniture: beds, mattresses, chairs and dressers
  • Upholstered furniture: chairs, sofas
  • Kitchen furniture: tables, cabinets, chairs
  • Bathroom furniture: cabinets and storage units, shower accessories
  • Living room furniture: chairs, tables, shelves, fittings, sofas
  • Patio furniture: tables, chairs and umbrellas
  • Outdoor furniture: tables, chairs, recliners, camping furniture and swings
  • Components: pull-out extensions, hinges, handles, sliding doors, blinds