Why You Need a Furniture Testing Laboratory

Furniture manufacturers and retailers face a myriad of uncertainties during production and shipping, as well as after products are in the hands of their consumers. Regulations governing quality, health, and safety are a minefield too, so using a furniture testing laboratory is an essential step to avoid costly recalls, complaints, and possible litigation, all the way from the factory floor to customers’ doorstep. Here we'll look at the challenges that furniture manufacturers and retailers face in conforming to international regulations, and the need for approved third-party laboratory tests to keep furniture suppliers in business.

Regulating Authorities Furniture Manufacturers and Retailers Need to Know About

CPSIA The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a United States Government law restricting levels of hazardous materials in products imported into or made within the US, especially those for children. CPSIA demands third-party laboratory tests by accredited laboratories with tight restrictions on phthalates (plasticizers), lead and other toxic substances in products including furniture, especially for children such as beds, cribs, and highchairs. REACH Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation that severely restricts the levels of specific chemical substances in all imported goods. This comprehensive and far-reaching environmental legislation is updated regularly. Manufacturers and suppliers at all levels of the supply chain are expected to be aware of the latest restrictions and face hefty penalties for noncompliance. Here are just some of the toxic substances regulated by REACH that require third-party laboratory tests:

• Azo colorants in textiles
• Nickel released from metal products in direct contact with skin
• PCTs
• Benzene
• Asbestos fibres
• Arsenic compounds
• Mercury compounds
• Cadmium

Substances of very high concern (SVHCs) that are known to pose serious public health and environmental risks are also tightly restricted by REACH. All products sold in the EU have to comply with the limit of 0.1% w/w (0.1% of total product weight) for the following SVHCs: Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR); Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT); very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB); and endocrine disrupters.

Ensuring Furniture Quality

Defects and Failures Undetected defects in furniture can cause hazardous failures that'll be costly to the manufacturer or retailer's reputation, as well as financially costly in recalls or liability in the event of any injuries or damage. Furniture manufacturers also have to ensure their products can withstand possible misuse of the furniture by consumers. Durability Manufacturers must know that the materials sourced and used in furniture production will last a long time. Textiles and fabrics used must be of a high quality to ensure against rapid wear and tear. Stitching and fastenings, being an integral part of any furniture item, must also be strong. Color Fastness Textile colors can fade, run or bleed under various conditions. Light, perspiration, washing and seawater are culprits that can quickly cause furniture textiles to lose their original color. Ensuring against color loss is especially important for furniture intended for outdoor use.

Health and Safety

The EU, the US, and many Asian countries insist that a wide range of health and safety requirements are met for imported furniture and textiles. Regulations include restrictions on hazardous chemicals, dyes, and plasticizers. Restrictions are especially stringent for furniture and textiles intended for children. Azo Dyes and Colorants A total of 22 aromatic amines are substances commonly found in textile dyes and colorants that are restricted by the EU's REACH directives (Appendix 8, Annex XVII). The current maximum detectable limit stipulated for these substances is 30 mg/kg (0.003 % by weight). If furniture items are found by authorities to contain toxic chemicals in excess of the set limits, the manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers of such products can face hefty fines.

Certifications for the Furniture Industry

QIMA offers certification for a wide selection of indoors and outdoors furniture, allowing you to demonstrate superior product quality and safety to your consumers:

• In-house / fit-for-use quality and test marks

The Benefits of Furniture Testing With QIMA Laboratories

International Accreditation QIMA has a worldwide network of laboratories in more than 100 countries that are fully accredited to carry out testing on behalf of CPSIA, SASO CoC and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association (CIQA), as well as ensuring your furniture complies with the latest REACH regulations. Impartial Assessments for the Latest Regulations Rigorous transparent and independent third-party laboratory testing with QIMA ensures your products are fit for the worldwide market by complying with the very latest international regulations. Tailored Testing for your Specific Needs We keep your laboratory testing costs low with fixed price product inspections, supplier audit programs, and laboratory testing. Prestigious Partners You Can Rely on We've got your supply chain covered with a network of professional partners and industry leaders in quality control, testing, freight forwarding, supply chain management and many more business partners leading the way today and in the future.