WHAT DO THOSE LOGOS MEAN??
When shopping for a new mattress there are certain things that you do want in your mattress and some things you definitely do not want.
If you are concerned about chemicals and retardants being in the surface that you are sleeping on, you need to look for certain certifications and assurances that indicate that your new mattress has been fully tested for any nasties that can sometimes be used as a filler in a new mattress to cut costs.
There are several certifications and testing processes that manufacturers have to comply with their products are stocked at The Back and Neck Bed Shop Perth.
ECO-INSTITUT PRODUCT TESTING
All of the Natural Latex products supplied by The Back and Neck Bed Shop Perth have the eco-INSTITUT product testing certification.
Eco-INSTITUT ranks among the leading providers for emission and pollutant testing of construction products and furnishings. The independent and accredited testing laboratory located in Cologne, Germany operates more than 85 stainless steel and glass chambers and evaluated products according to national and international requirements and criteria.
Eco-INSTITUT looks upon more than 25 years of experience in the analysis of traces and residues of hazardous materials.
LGA Certification
LGA Certification is administered by TUV Rheinland AG, a global provider of technical, safety, and certification services with headquarters in Cologne, Germany. The test checks the compliance of the mattress with DIN EN 1957 standard. DIN EN 1957 standard deals with functional performance for domestic use of a mattress.
The test is conducted by putting a 1400 N (roughly 150kg) force on the mattress and stoking the mattress 60,000 times. This test is meant to simulate, more than adequately, the normal domestic usage of a mattress.
The above test is conducted to rate the mattress in four categories:
- Change in height to the mattress.
- Change in hardness of the mattress after 30,000 strokes.
- Change in hardness of the mattress after the test.
- Change in resilience factor of the mattress.
The test is graded on a scale of 0-100 with 25 points allocated to each of the above categories.
As per the standard, a mattress should achieve a score of 50 points to pass the certification, 70 points to quality for increased quality certification and 80 points for enhanced quality.
If you are shopping for a Memory Foam Mattress, look for a manufacturer that can provide the following assurances:
CertiPUR and CertiPUR -US
When you see these logos on a foam product it means the CertiPUR-US certified foam is:
- Made without ozone depleters
Ozone’s presence is important in our upper atmosphere, where it provides a shield from the sun’s radient energy. The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, mandated that industries eliminate ozone depleting chloroflurocarbons (CFC’s) by the year 2000. U.S. foam producers were well ahead of schedule in complying with this regulation. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, CFCs are still used to manufacture foam. The CertiPUR-US label prohibits the use of any CFCs, or other ozone depleters, in the foam manufacturing process.
- Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (Tris) flame retardants
- Made without mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
- Made without Formaldehyde
- Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)
CertiPUR-US is a certification program administered by a not-for-profit organisation started in 2008 in the United states by foam producers who were concerned about substandard foam being imported into the country.
It was suspected that many of these foams were made with chemicals that were banned in the US and which were identified on some chemical ‘watch lists’ as possibly causing cancer, genetic defects, or damage to the unborn child. There was no way for consumers to know what was inside foam used in bedding and upholstered furniture.
The CertPUR-US program was developed to provide the comfort and confidence of knowing the flexible polyurethane foam meets standards for content, emissions, and durability and are analysed by independant, accredited laboratories. Today, foam producers from all countries may participate in the program, as long as they meet the rigorous certification guidelines.
When you buy a Mlily Memory Foam Mattress from The Back and Neck Bed Shop Perth, you have peace of mind that all products have been granted the CertiPUR-US certification.
Confidence in Textiles Oeko-Tex Standard 100
The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX is an independent test and certification system for textile raw, intermediate and end products at all stages of processing.
The tests for harmful substances cover:
- Legally banned and controlled substances
- Chemicals known to be harmful to your health (but not yet legally controlled)
- Parameters for health protection
The OEKO-TEX tests for harmful substances are always geared toward how the textile will actually be used. The more closely the product is in contact with the skin, the stricter the human ecology requirements that it must meet.
A distinction is made between four product classes:
- Product class I:
Articles for babies and toddlers up to 3 years of age (underwear, rompers, clothing, bed linen, terry products, etc.)
- Product class II:
Articles that are worn close to the skin (underwear, bed linen, t-shirts, socks, etc.)
- Product class III:
Articles used away from the skin (jackets, coats, etc.)
- Product class IV:
Decoration/furnishing materials (curtains, tablecloths, upholstery covers, etc.)
Certification
The precondition for the certification of products in accordance with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is that all parts of an article, without exception, meet the required criteria – so not only the outer material, but also the sewing threads, linings, prints etc, and any non-textile accessories such as buttons, zips, rivets etc.
