Furniture product certification

Core Content of Each Standard

GB/T 3324-2024 "General Technical Requirements for Wooden Furniture"

This standard was revised in 2024 and officially implemented on February 1, 2025, replacing the GB/T 3324-2017 version. It specifies the requirements, inspection rules, marking, instructions for use, packaging, transportation, and storage for wooden furniture, describes corresponding test methods, and applies to quality control in the design, production, sales service, inspection, and testing of wooden furniture.

Compared with the previous version, major technical changes include: modifying main dimensions, appearance requirements, and paint film impact resistance requirements to align with the latest versions of relevant referenced standards; adding requirements and test methods for surface yellowing resistance and the physical and chemical properties of glass components, plastic components, and soft coverings (textile fabrics/leather), thereby improving product technical indicators and evaluation dimensions; modifying structural safety, limits of harmful substances in furniture, and flame retardancy requirements based on the latest mandatory furniture standards, adding electrical safety requirements to ensure consistency with mandatory standards; changing test methods for wood moisture content, abrasion resistance, and mechanical performance to make them more scientific, reasonable, and operational.

GB/T 3325-2024 "General Technical Requirements for Metal Furniture"

This standard was revised and issued in 2024 and officially implemented on February 1, 2025, replacing the GB/T 3325-2017 version. It specifies quality indicator requirements and test methods for metal furniture, including shape and dimensional tolerances, surface appearance performance, physical and chemical properties, and mechanical performance.

This revision primarily addressed the use of metal components, stone/ceramic slab components, glass components, and plastic components in metal furniture. It added or adjusted physical and chemical property indicators such as corrosion resistance, impact resistance, and strength, as well as requirements and test methods for appearance quality indicators like product dimensional tolerances and squareness (perpendicularity of adjacent edges).

GB/T 32487-2016 "General Technical Requirements for Plastic Furniture"

This standard was issued in 2016 and officially implemented on September 1, 2016. It is applicable to the design, production, and inspection of plastic furniture. The standard specifies technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, packaging, transportation, and storage for plastic furniture. The conclusion of the last review of this standard was "revision," and a revision plan has been approved.

GB/T 32444-2015 "General Technical Requirements for Bamboo Furniture"

This standard was issued in 2015 and officially implemented on July 1, 2016. It is applicable to quality control of bamboo furniture. The standard specifies technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, packaging, transportation, and storage for bamboo furniture. This standard will soon be replaced by GB/T 32444-2026 "General Technical Requirements for Bamboo Furniture."

GB/T 38466-2020 "General Technical Requirements for Rattan Furniture"

This standard was issued in 2020 and officially implemented on October 1, 2020. It is applicable to quality control of rattan furniture. The standard specifies technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, packaging, transportation, and storage for rattan furniture. The conclusion of the last review of this standard was "revision," and a revision plan has been approved.

GB/T 26706-2011 "Soft Furniture—Palm Fiber Elastic Mattress"

Issued in 2011 and officially implemented on February 1, 2012, this is China's first national standard for mattress products. It applies to palm fiber elastic mattresses used in indoor environments such as homes, hotels, and hospitals, and can be referenced for other natural plant fiber mattresses.

The standard defines terms, codes, product classification, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, instructions for use, packaging, storage, and transportation for palm fiber elastic mattresses. Key performance requirements include: the fabric surface should be free of damage, and the mattress surface should have no prickling sensation; the core material moisture content should not exceed 15%, and the compression set should not exceed 12%; mattresses for household use should pass the cigarette ignition resistance test, while those for public places should pass the simulated match flame test; after 30,000 durability test cycles, the core material should show no tearing or misalignment, and the mattress surface height should not be less than 90% of the initial height. Regarding safety and hygiene requirements, pests such as fleas, ticks, bed bugs and their eggs should not be detected; pathogenic bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and hemolytic streptococcus should not be detected; waste materials should not be used in the core material; and impurities such as plastic woven materials, straw, wood shavings, paper scraps, mud, sand, or metal should not be included.

QB/T 1952.2-2023 "Soft Furniture—Spring Soft Mattress"

This standard was revised and issued in 2023 and officially implemented on November 1, 2023, replacing the QB/T 1952.2-2011 version. It applies to the production, grading, inspection, and sales of spring soft mattresses, excluding air mattresses, waterbeds, mattresses with electric heating or motorized appliances, and mattresses used with cots, foldable beds, or cribs.

Based on quality classification, spring soft mattresses are divided into four grades: Premium Grade, First Grade, Qualified Grade, and Non-conforming Grade. Major technical changes include: adding provisions for harmful substances such as benzene, toluene, xylene, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), decomposable aromatic amine dyes, and flame retardants; adding provisions for composite fabric resistance to pilling, abrasion resistance, and fluorescent whitening agents; adding provisions for the indentation hardness index of latex in padding materials; adding provisions for mattresses with antibacterial function; adding provisions for hardness grades; and primarily changing test methods for volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde emission and requirements for fatigue durability.

QB/T 4839-2023 "Soft Furniture—Foam Mattress"

This standard was revised and issued in 2023 and officially implemented on July 1, 2024, replacing the QB/T 4839-2015 version. It applies to the production and inspection of mattress products using foam materials such as polyurethane foam and latex foam as the core material.

QB/T 1952.1-2023 "Soft Furniture—Sofa"

This is the current industry standard. It defines terms, product classification, requirements, test methods, inspection rules, marking, packaging, transportation, and storage for sofas and applies to the production and inspection of sofas.

Overview of General Technical Requirements

The aforementioned general technical standards for furniture products collectively stipulate the following core requirements:

Dimensions and Appearance Requirements: The dimensional tolerances of various furniture products shall comply with standard specifications. Appearance should be free of damage, stains, and significant color differences. Wooden and metal furniture have specific requirements for appearance quality indicators like squareness (perpendicularity of adjacent edges) and levelness.

Physical and Chemical Property Requirements:

• Wooden Furniture: Surface paint film should possess properties such as resistance to thermal shock, dry heat, damp heat, corrosion, abrasion, and impact; new requirements for surface yellowing resistance have been added.
• Metal Furniture: Metal components should possess corrosion resistance and impact resistance; coating adhesion must meet standard requirements.
• Glass Components: Should possess impact resistance and thermal shock resistance.
• Plastic Components: Should possess aging resistance and resistance to temperature changes.

Mechanical Performance Requirements:

• Table Furniture: Vertical static load on tabletop, vertical impact on tabletop, horizontal static load on tabletop, etc.
• Chair and Stool Furniture: Static load on seat, static load on backrest, static load on armrest, seat durability, backrest reciprocating durability, etc.
• Cabinet Furniture: Static load on top and bottom panels, bending strength of shelves, support strength of clothes hanging rods, durability of drawers and doors, etc.
• Bed Furniture: Static load on bed surface, bed surface durability, bed surface impact, etc.
• Sofa: Static load on seat, seat durability, static load on sofa back, lateral static load on armrests, etc.
• Spring Soft Mattress: Fatigue durability test (highest requirement for Premium Grade).
• Palm Fiber Elastic Mattress: Durability test (surface height after 30,000 cycles not less than 90% of initial height).

Limits for Harmful Substances Requirements:

• Wooden Furniture: Formaldehyde emission shall comply with GB 18584.
• Metal Furniture: Limits of harmful substances in coatings shall comply with relevant standards.
• Plastic Furniture: Limits of harmful substances in plastic components shall comply with GB 28481 or GB 18584.
• Spring Soft Mattress: Added provisions for harmful substances such as benzene, toluene, xylene, TVOC, decomposable aromatic amine dyes, and flame retardants.
• Palm Fiber Elastic Mattress: Limits of harmful substances shall comply with relevant standard requirements.

Flame Retardancy Requirements:

• Mattresses for Household Use: Shall pass the cigarette ignition resistance test per GB 17927.
• Mattresses for Public Places: Shall pass the simulated match flame test per GB 17927.

Safety and Hygiene Requirements:

• Palm Fiber Elastic Mattress: Pests such as fleas, ticks, bed bugs and their eggs shall not be detected; pathogenic bacteria shall not be detected; waste materials shall not be used in the core material; impurities shall not be included.
• Spring Soft Mattress: Added provisions for mattresses with antibacterial function.

Marking and Instructions for Use Requirements: Products shall be marked with information such as product name, standard implemented, product grade, manufacturer name and address, production date, and instructions for use. Spring soft mattresses must clearly indicate the grade: Premium Grade, First Grade, or Qualified Grade.

Certification Process

Furniture product certification is typically divided into the following stages:

• Application and Acceptance: Submit application materials (business license, product manual, product drawings, material list, etc.). The certification body conducts a preliminary review of the application materials to determine applicable standards.
• Product Sampling and Testing: Personnel appointed by the certification body conduct sampling at the production site or finished goods warehouse. Samples are sent to a laboratory with CMA and CNAS accreditation for testing. Test items are determined based on product type and applicable standards: Wooden Furniture: Test main dimensions, appearance, paint film physical and chemical properties, wood moisture content, mechanical performance, limits of harmful substances, flame retardancy, electrical safety, etc., according to GB/T 3324-2024. Metal Furniture: Test dimensional tolerances, appearance, physical and chemical properties (corrosion resistance, impact resistance), mechanical performance, etc., according to GB/T 3325-2024. Plastic Furniture: Test appearance, physical and chemical properties, mechanical performance, limits of harmful substances, etc., according to GB/T 32487-2016. Bamboo Furniture: Test appearance, physical and chemical properties, mechanical performance, etc., according to GB/T 32444-2015. Rattan Furniture: Test appearance, physical and chemical properties, mechanical performance, etc., according to GB/T 38466-2020. Palm Fiber Elastic Mattress: Test core material physical properties, safety and hygiene, flame retardancy, durability, etc., according to GB/T 26706-2011. Spring Soft Mattress: Test fabric performance, padding material performance, harmful substances, durability, hardness grade, etc., according to QB/T 1952.2-2023. Foam Mattress: Test foam material performance, durability, etc., according to QB/T 4839-2023. Sofa: Test seat durability, mechanical performance, etc., according to QB/T 1952.1-2023.
• Initial Factory Inspection: The inspection team conducts an on-site audit of the manufacturing enterprise, including review of production facilities, assessment of the quality control system, records of raw material procurement and inspection, process control documents, etc., to verify whether the enterprise's production and management processes comply with certification requirements.
• Rectification and Re-check: If non-conformities are found during testing, the enterprise must analyze the cause, implement corrective actions, and resubmit samples for testing.
• Certification Decision and Issuance: After passing all tests, the certification body issues a formal test report and certification certificate, confirming the product's compliance with the corresponding standard requirements. The certification certificate is typically valid for three years. Re-certification is required if the product structure, materials, or processes change.
• Post-Certification Surveillance: An annual surveillance audit is conducted after certification to confirm the product's continued compliance with certification requirements. Surveillance content includes factory assurance capability inspection, product consistency inspection, product surveillance testing, etc.

Value of Certification

• Ensures Product Quality and Safety: Through scientific furniture product certification, it ensures that products comply with national standard requirements in terms of physical and chemical properties, mechanical performance, control of harmful substances, etc., preventing safety hazards arising from quality defects and safeguarding consumer personal safety and legitimate rights.
• Meets Legal and Regulatory Requirements: Standards such as GB/T 3324-2024 and GB/T 3325-2024 have been officially implemented. Certification ensures product compliance with the latest standards, avoiding legal risks and administrative penalties due to non-compliance.
• Enhances Product Market Competitiveness: Certified products can use the certification mark, gaining priority in government procurement, tendering, large project procurement, etc., and enhancing brand premium capability. Spring soft mattresses can be labeled with grade identifiers such as Premium Grade or First Grade.
• Standardizes Production and Improves Quality: The certification process encourages enterprises to establish a standardized quality control system covering raw material procurement, production processes, finished product inspection, etc., ensuring consistent and stable product quality.
• Increases Consumer Trust: Through independent third-party certification, it demonstrates to consumers that the product possesses reliable quality and safety, enhancing purchase confidence and improving brand reputation.

Applicable Product Scope

Furniture product certification is applicable to various types of furniture products, mainly including:

• Wooden Furniture: Wardrobes, bookcases, dining tables and chairs, bed frames, office desks, filing cabinets, coffee tables, etc.
• Metal Furniture: Metal frame sofas, metal storage cabinets, steel office furniture, metal bed frames, etc.
• Plastic Furniture: Plastic chairs, plastic tables, plastic cabinets, plastic storage boxes, etc.
• Bamboo Furniture: Bamboo chairs, bamboo tables, bamboo beds, bamboo bookshelves, etc.
• Rattan Furniture: Wicker sofas, wicker chairs, wicker tables, rattan storage cabinets, etc.
• Palm Fiber Elastic Mattress: Mountain palm mattress, coconut palm mattress, oil palm mattress, etc.
• Spring Soft Mattress: Pocketed coil mattress, interconnected coil mattress, etc.
• Foam Mattress: Memory foam mattress, latex mattress, polyurethane foam mattress, etc.
• Sofa: Full leather sofa, fabric sofa, recliner sofa, office sofa, etc.