A new standard for domestic seating
A new European Standard for domestic seating products has been approved for publication:
BS EN 12520 Furniture - Strength, durability and safety - Requirements for domestic seating
The new standard will be published by BSI within the next 6 months and will replace BS 4875-1 in the UK. Across Europe it will replace the previous draft, standard DD ENV 12520. This will mean that there is a single accepted standard for domestic seating across Europe - making life simpler for exporting.
The standard is very broadly equivalent to BS 4875-1 test level 3 in scope, however the main differences are:
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the standard has a single test level (rather than 5 in BS 4875-1), based on the principle that there is only one level of performance necessary for safety
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the standard features safety requirements for sharp edges and entrapment issues (similar to those used in the European standard for garden furniture)
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the standard features a new backwards falling test for 4 leg chairs
Although BSI are in the process of publishing the standard it is not currently available publicly. However, FIRA - as a key member of the committee developing the standard - have access to the document and are able to offer its customers advance access to testing of products to the new standard, ensuring FIRA customers maintain a competitive advantage in the market.
FIRA recommends that all new domestic seating products submitted for test are tested to the new standard. In addition we can offer competitive 'upgrade' packages to allow customers who have previously tested products to BS 4875-1 to have their certificates upgraded to the reflect the latest changes.
For more information please contact FIRA on +44 1438 777700 or email info@fira.co.uk
