Furniture Testing & Certification from TÜV ​Rheinland

Furniture Testing & Certification
The demand for new furniture designs, electrified furniture, and sustainable alternatives to the current range of products is on the rise. As this demand continues to rise, furniture manufacturers need ways to not only ensure the safety and quality of their products, but also separate themselves from the competition.

A high-caliber design of both the interior and exterior features of your furniture products demonstrates your commitment to quality and safety for added value and customer confidence. However, customers rely on reputable test marks to help them choose the best product for their individual needs. We conduct comprehensive furniture testing and certification in accordance with national and international standards as well as internal specifications. Comprehensive testing and certification by an independent service provider like TÜV Rheinland puts you in the best position to document the quality and safety of your furniture products to strengthen consumer trust in your brand. We provide you the expertise you need backed up by decades of practical experience and reliable services. Our globally recognized test marks boost customer confidence and strengthen your brand in competitive markets.

Our broad service portfolio ensures optimum support with regard to your unique requirements. We provide expert testing and certifications for furniture of all kinds – from office, contract and home furniture to laboratory and workshop furnishings. Scroll below to learn more or request furniture testing and certification from TÜV Rheinland!

TÜV ​Rheinland's Furniture & Retail Excellence Center 

In March 2020, TÜV Rheinland opened a new furniture testing facility in Kentwood, MI. Known as the Furniture & Retail Excellence Center, this testing facility aims to help manufacturers meet the most advanced U.S. and European compliance standards for furniture. Besides regular and large-occupant office chairs, TÜV Rheinland can ensure manufacturers meet the requirements for lounge seating, desk products, panel systems, storage units, educational seating, occasional-use seating, and more.

Choosing the Grand Rapids, MI area as the home base for the furniture lab was a strategic decision for TÜV Rheinland. Apart from being known as The Furniture City, Grand Rapids is also the home of BIFMA (Business and Industrial Furniture Manufacturers Association). Such close proximity allows our field managers to work closely with the BIFMA experts in the standard writing processes for furniture safety, keeping TÜV Rheinland up-to-date with the latest standards and testing operations. The lab, located at 3650 Broadmoor Avenue, Kentwood, Michigan, is a 3,000 square-foot facility focused exclusively on furniture testing.

Featured above is our Head of Hardlines & Softlines, Stephan Pesch, as he demonstrates the use of our state-of-the-art Chair Measurement Device located at our Furniture and Retail Excellence Center in Grand Rapids, MI.

Our Tests for Furniture of All Kinds

TÜV Rheinland's Furniture & Retail Excellence Center in Kentwood, MI is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment to address all furniture testing needs. Whether its office and home furniture, laboratory and workshop furniture, or anything in-between, we've got you covered. Below are of few of the testing types we offer at our Furniture & Retail Excellence Center in Kentwood, MI:

Chair Measurement Test


This device provides testing for the determination of dimensions for furniture used in office spaces in accordance with ISO 24496 Office Furniture, BIFMA G1 Ergonomics Guideline, and ANSI/BIFMA X5.1 General-Purpose Office Chairs.

Tilt-Drop Test


The tilt-drop test determines if the legs and seat are properly and durably connected, helping to identify poor welding, glue, or rivet connections. This equipment provides testing in accordance with DIN 68878:2011 and can also be used for ANSI/BIFMA seat mechanism test or drawer tests.

Horizontal Durability Test


The Horizontal Durability Test features a universal test frame that can be used for the test of tables, leg strength and beds. The equipment has a force controlled closed loop system to ensure that the specified force is applied precisely for each cycle.

Impact Tester


Provides testing for drop impacts and seating durability according to ANSI/BIFMA and EN standards. The equipment measures the pick-up point for each individual cycle to ensure that the drop height remains constant, even if the chair moves down over time. This test can run 24/7 in compliance with the tolerances defined in the standard.

Swivel Tester


This test equipment can be used for the ANSI/BIFMA Swivel Test – Cyclic to evaluate the ability of a chair to withstand the stress and wear of repeated swivelling. This equipment also provides testing of the castor and chair base durability according to EN 1335-2.

Linear Unit with Load Cell


Provides testing of the rolling resistance according to EN 1335-2, castor durability tests, and drawer tests according to ANSI/BIFMA. The attached load cell can be used for recording forces below 20 N. The yellow components on the left and right side of the equipment are safety light barriers. If someone enters the protected test area, the equipment stops running to ensure worker’s safety.

Request Furniture Testing from TÜV Rheinland

Are you ready to begin your testing and certification process with TÜV Rheinland for your furniture products? Below we have compiled a short checklist to help manufacturers prepare to ensure that the process is as smooth and efficient as possible.

What TÜV Rheinland Needs from You
 
  • User-Manual and Description of Functionality
  • Country of Destination (Specific countries the product will be sold in)
  • Intended Use (Office, Domestic, Non-Domestic, Outdoor Use, Children's Furniture, etc...)
  • Is the product intended for certain retailers? (Required testing is determined based on customer-specific test protocols)
  • The type of testing you are requesting (Mechanical safety testing only based on individual test standards or full legal compliance testing)
  • Will additional testing be required? (Quality and/or chemical testing)
How Long Will Testing Take?


 
What TÜV Rheinland Will Provide to You

After successful testing, TÜV Rheinland will provide you with the full test report (and certificate, if applicable) so you can document the safety and quality of your furniture product(s). Additionally, we issue our globally recognized test marks for you to affix to your products so you can demonstrate your commitment to safety and quality to your customers. Specifically, we issue our GS-Mark (Tested Safety), LGA Tested Mark, TUV Bauart Mark, and the TUV Type-Approval Mark for components.
 

Fill out the form on the right to request state-of-the-art Furniture Testing and Certification from TÜV Rheinland!
Please tell us the time frame of your upcoming project! If you do not have an upcoming project, you may choose "No Plans".