Certification and Registration
Overview of UK Mattress Regulations
Category:
Overview of UK Mattress Regulations
Customers frequently inquire about the testing standards for exporting mattresses to the United Kingdom. In fact, the UK has relatively strict regulations for mattresses and has specific legislation in place. In addition to standard flame-retardancy testing, there are also requirements related to labeling, chemical substances, and other aspects. Companies planning to sell beds or mattresses in the UK, especially products manufactured overseas, should understand these requirements.
Flame-retardant requirements
Manufacturers of mattresses, mattress pads, sofa beds, and bed bases must demonstrate that their products comply with BS 7177:2008+A1:2011 。 BS 7177 It is the United Kingdom’s mandatory flammability requirement for mattresses. The standard categorizes testing into four hazard levels—low, medium, high, and very high—and specifies which level should be applied to mattresses, mattress pads, sofas, or bed frames based on their intended end-use environment. ... More information
Soft filling material
The filling materials of mattresses must meet the same requirements as those for upholstered furniture, and shall be in accordance with “Furniture and Furnishings”… ( Fire prevention )( Safety ) Conduct testing in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations. ... More information
Flame-retardant label requirements
All through BS 7177 Mattresses subjected to flame‑retardancy testing must bear a permanent, clearly legible label. SATISFY can assist clients in designing and verifying these labels to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
Cleanliness of the filling material
Manufacturers must demonstrate full traceability of their supply chains, including the origin of filling materials. If recycled materials are used, this information must be disclosed on the label and the materials must be fully traceable. Manufacturing new mattresses, bed bases, or headboards using unclean materials is considered a serious violation.
All fillers used in the product must comply with the following standards:
BS 1425: Part 1:1991 — Cleanliness of fillings and stuffings for bedding, upholstery, and other domestic articles. Specification for fillings and stuffings other than feather and/or down.
and / or
EN 12936:2001 — Feather and down — Hygiene and cleanliness requirements.
Textiles ( Labels and Ingredients ) Regulation
According to the Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Content) Regulations 2012, the fibre content of mattress covers must be clearly indicated. This requirement currently does not apply to sofa bases or headboards.
The fibre content of textile materials used in products must be declared according to the requirements of the regulations:
◉ Labels must indicate the main fibre types and their percentages, for example, wool 80%, cotton 20%.
◉ For products exported to the European Union, English-only labeling is insufficient.
◉ Labels must show fibre content information in a durable, clear, and visible manner.
◉ If a mattress contains non-textile components of animal origin, this must be disclosed.
◉ For products containing two or more fibre types, each fibre must be listed.
Mattress label
Mattress labels provide information about both the mattress and the manufacturer. Manufacturers can use labels to track production batches and facilities, manage warranty claims, handle returns, and support product recalls. Consumers can also obtain important product information from labels, including:
◉ Mattress weight
◉ Mattress size
◉ Materials
◉ Material composition percentage
◉ Production date
◉ Required precautions
◉ Flammability information
◉ Country of origin
◉ Care instructions
REACH
Companies using chemicals in product manufacturing, such as flame retardants, dyes, colorants, and plasticizers, must comply with REACH Regulations and monitor updates to the Candidate List.
◉ When a component contains SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) exceeding 0.1% w/w, companies must implement component-level control and communicate with downstream users, including providing safe handling instructions and usage information.
◉ If the SVHC concentration exceeds 0.1% w/w and the total quantity exceeds 1 tonne per year, companies must submit a notification to ECHA (European Chemicals Agency).
◉ According to Article 33 of the REACH Regulation, companies must provide SVHC information free of charge within 45 days upon request.
Mechanical properties
BS EN 1725:1998 Domestic Furniture — Beds and Mattresses — Safety Requirements and Test Methods
BS EN 1725 applies to bed frames fitted with standard mattresses or mattresses supplied together with bed frames. Depending on whether the bed frame and mattress are supplied as a set or separately, the test evaluates the frame and mattress support structures, including springs, slats, webbing, and sheets. Impact and static tests are also conducted at various points on the mattress to assess strength and durability.
BS EN 1957 uses a drum test to evaluate mattress durability. A large circular drum rotates at a speed of 16 ± 2 cycles per minute, applying 30,000 cycles to the mattress and/or bed frame. The firmness and hardness of the sleeping surface are measured using a specialized load-cell probe before and after testing. The test evaluates potential defects in the overall bed structure, including broken springs, frayed wires, tufting failures, displaced fillings, creasing, and loose ticking.
Infant Mattress Standards
The standards for crib mattresses vary slightly. When purchasing a crib mattress, parents should consider the following standards:
◉ BS 1877-10+A1:2012 — Specifies requirements for materials, manufacturing processes, and dimensions of infant crib mattresses.
◉ BS EN 16890:2017 — A voluntary standard involving extensive safety testing for crib mattresses. It includes tests to determine whether any part of the mattress can detach and create a choking hazard, as well as firmness testing to ensure that an infant’s face will not become buried in the mattress and cause suffocation if the infant rolls onto their stomach.
SATISFY offer one-stop compliance solutions for mattresses, helping our clients export smoothly. Please contact SATISFY customer service for more information on mattress testing and certification.
Previous page
Related Information
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC
SATISFY TECH AND SERVICE LLC delivers full-lifecycle technical solutions for children’s products, hygiene care, protective equipment, furniture, and building materials. Our framework spans compliance pre-assessment, standard upgrading, and risk control. We empower manufacturers and exporters through expert testing, certification, consulting, and standards interpretation.
Contact Us
Address: Room 7D, Building A, Zhongzhou Holdings Financial Center, No. 88 Haide 1st Road, Haizhu Community, Yuehai Subdistrict, Nanshan District, Shenzhen
Phone: 0755-8273-9683
Mobile: 189-2676-2893
Email: info@sdswcn.com
Sales Window
WeChat Applet