Certification and Registration
EN 12520:2015 Requirements for the strength and durability of furniture—seats
Category:
Mechanical and Physical Testing of Household and Non-Household Furniture
EN 12520:2015 Standard Description
EN 12520 :2015 Furniture - Strength ， durability and safety - Requirements for domestic seating
EN 12520:2015 Standard Introduction
Seats are among the most frequently used furniture products in daily life. To help evaluate the safety and durability of adult seating, EN 12520:2015 specifies the minimum requirements for the safety, strength, durability, and long-term performance of all types of adult domestic seating. The testing is based on a user weight not exceeding 110 kg. By complying with EN 12520:2015, manufacturers can ensure the safety and reliability of domestic seating products during everyday use.
EN 12520:2015 Scope of Application
EN 12520:2015 applies to all types of domestic seating, including chairs, upholstered chairs, sofas, and similar seating products.
Note:
(1) Not applicable to folding chairs, non-domestic seating, office task chairs, office visitor chairs, educational institution seating, outdoor seating, or linked seating systems covered by existing European standards.
(2) Excludes durability requirements for upholstery materials, casters, tilt and reclining mechanisms, and seat height adjustment mechanisms.
(3) Excludes electrical safety requirements.
(4) Excludes requirements related to ageing resistance, degradation, flammability, and ergonomics.
EN 12520:2015 Strength and Durability Testing
(1) Seat static load and back static load test：
Apply a 1300 N force at the seat loading point and simultaneously apply a 450 N force at the backrest loading point. Repeat the loading procedure 10 times.
(2) Seat front edge static load test：
Apply a 1300 N force to the front edge of the seat. To prevent the seat from overturning, it may be necessary to gradually reduce the applied force.
(3) Foot rest static load test：
If the furniture is equipped with a footrest, perform the corresponding test. Apply a concentrated force of 1000 N at the position most likely to cause failure, located 80 mm from the front edge of the footrest load-bearing structure.
(4) Arm rest sideways static load test：
For furniture with armrests, such as armchairs, apply a lateral force of 300 N. If the seat tends to overturn, apply a sufficient counter-load to prevent overturning.
(5) Arm rest downwards static load test：
For furniture with armrests, such as armchairs, apply a downward force of 700 N. If the seat tends to overturn, apply a sufficient load on the opposite side of the untested armrest to prevent overturning.
(6) Combined seat and back durability test：
Conduct 25,000 cycles by applying a vertical force of 1000 N to the seat and a 300 N force to the backrest.
(7) Seat front edge durability test：
Apply a force of 800 N to the front edge of the seat and perform 20,000 cycles.
(8) Arm rest durability test：
Apply a force of 400 N at the position where the user’s arm may normally rest and perform 10,000 cycles.
(9)Leg forward static load test：
Secure the front legs of the seat using stop blocks. Apply a 1000 N load to the seat and a maximum force of 400 N at the specified position for 10 cycles.
(10) Leg sideways static load test：
Secure the front and rear legs of the seat using stop blocks. Apply a 1000 N load to the seat and a maximum force of 300 N at the specified position for 10 cycles, without exceeding 150 mm from the unloaded edge of the seat.
(11) Seat impact test：
Place two layers of foam padding on the seat. Drop the seat impactor freely from a height of 180 mm onto the designated position. Repeat the test at another position at least 100 mm away to cover conditions that may cause seat failure.
(12) Backward fall test：
Place the seat on the drop test floor. Apply a horizontal backward force at the center of the backrest and measure the force required to lift the front legs of the seat. If the force is less than 30 N, push the top of the backrest backward until the balance point is reached. Allow the seat to fall backward freely and come to rest on the rubber-covered test floor. Repeat the test procedure 5 times.
(13) Back impact test：
Secure the front legs, feet, or casters using an impact hammer. Apply the impact at the center of the outer upper edge of the seat back using a 120 mm impact position to evaluate the stability and load-bearing capacity of the seat. During the test, the seat is allowed to overturn freely and impact the rubber-covered test floor.
SATISFY provides EN 12520:2015 domestic seating testing services through a professional home furniture testing team, including product evaluation, test follow-up, report interpretation, and improvement recommendations. For more information, please contact SATISFY customer service.
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