Why do people choose certified furniture products?
Key product benefits of BSI Kitemark™ for Domestic Furniture certification.
When purchasing furniture for your home, quality, durability, and safety are key considerations. The BSI Kitemark™ for domestic furniture is a globally recognized certification demonstrating that a product has been rigorously tested to meet (and often exceed) industry standards. By choosing furniture with the BSI Kitemark, you can trust that you are investing in reliable, safe, and long-lasting pieces for your home.
What products can achieve BSI Kitemark™ for Domestic Furniture certification?
BSI Kitemark certification can be achieved by domestic furniture products, including recliners, sofas, sofa beds, beds, and mattresses.
Manufacturers who achieve this certification have demonstrated that their products meet strict quality, durability, and safety standards.
The typical standards the furniture is tested against include:
Please note that this is not a comprehensive overview of all the standard and testing requirements. It is intended to highlight key features of the standards, testing, and certification process.
Fire Safety – Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended). Upholstered furniture is tested for resistance to ignition sources such as cigarettes and matches. Foam, fabric, and filling materials must meet flame retardancy criteria through standardised burn tests.
Cigarette Test (BS 5852: Part 1) – A lit cigarette is placed on the test specimen for a set duration to assess resistance to smoldering ignition.
Match Test (BS 5852: Part 1) – A simulated small open flame is applied to the material to evaluate resistance to ignition.
Structural strength and durability testing
BS EN 16139:2013 – Strength, durability, and safety for non-domestic seating.
Static load test – A force of 1,600N (approximately x2 average males weight) assess their ability to withstand weight stress.
Fatigue test – Seats are subjected to 100,000 cycles to replicate repeated use over time.
Impact and drop tests – A 60kg weight is dropped from 30cm to evaluate structural resilience.
BS EN 12520:2015 – Strength, durability, and safety for domestic seating.
Backrest and armrest pressure tests – A force of 1,000N is applied to simulate leaning pressure.
Seat loading test – A force of 1,300N is applied for one minute to assess structural integrity.
BS EN 1725:1998 – Safety requirements and test methods for beds and mattresses.
Edge durability test – A 1,000N force is applied repeatedly to assess resistance to collapse.
Static load test – A weight of 140kg (over x1.5 average male weight) is placed on the bed frame to ensure load-bearing stability.
Dynamic durability test – A 100kg (over average male weight) rolling weight is moved across the mattress for 30,000 cycles to replicate long-term use.
Manufacturing excellence and process control
To achieve the BSI Kitemark, manufacturers must implement effective factory process controls (FPC) in line with ISO 9001:2015. This ensures:
- High-quality materials and components.
- Consistent manufacturing processes.
- Ongoing product checks and compliance monitoring.
What does the BSI Kitemark™ for Domestic Furniture Logo mean?
The BSI Kitemark for domestic furniture lozennge/ logo is designed to help you to quickly identify a product that can be trusted for its safety, quality, and functionality.
It supports furniture manufacturers in demonstrating the superiority of their products, and gives homeowners confidence when investing in furniture. BSI has developed Kitemark certification for furniture through a robust testing and certification process, helping manufacturers provide and showcase high-quality products to customers.
The BSI Kitemark proves that a product has been tested for functionality and quality. It is not a one-time activity, but includes annual assessments of the product. This gives a continued assurance of the product and the relevant quality management systems for ongoing production. Robust and internationally recognized, the BSI Kitemark can help enhance your reputation as a manufacturer and boost customer confidence.
