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CertiPUR-US – Sets the Standards for Polyurethane Foams
Consumers are becoming smarter and smarter as time passes by. They don’t just buy the first product they see. They make sure they know what goes into the products and the same thing is true when it comes to mattresses they sleep on. Mattress is primarily made from polyurethane foams. Inferior foams may contain chemicals that can be dangerous to your health and the environment too.
So, how will you know if the foam inside the mattress is safe? The answer is by checking if the foam has secure certification from foam regulating bodies. There are a number of voluntary certification programs today. They set a strict and uniform standards for various product categories. The product undergoes a series of testing and analysis to make sure that it is highly durable and safe for the consumers. For foam-based products, you have to look for CertiPUR-US certification.
What is CertiPUR-US Certification?
It is issued by the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam Inc., which is a non-profit organization. If the product is certified, it means that the product has already been tested and certified by independent and accredited testing laboratories. The foam passed the rigorous standards set for indoor emissions, physical performance, content, and commitment to environmental stewardship.
The CertiPUR-US certification program was first launched in 2008. It is primarily based on safety, health, and environment considerations for polyurethane foams as introduced by the European Association of Flexible Polyurethane Foam Blocks Manufacturers in 2005. The US standards for polyurethane products are different to that of the European program. CertiPUR-US certified foams are specially created for the American market.
What foam products can be certified by CertiPUR-US?
Not all foam products can be certified by CertiPUR-US. Basically, the certification is given to polyether polyurethane foam such as conventional foam, super soft conventional foam, conventional FR foam, high resilience foam, and other polyurethane foams. All foam producers are highly encouraged to participate in the CertiPUR-US program.
To earn the CertiPUR-US certified foam seal, the foam should be submitted for a series of analysis and testing. The foam is checked for harmful contents like chlorofluorocarbons and other types of ozone depleters. The foam will be checked for presence of hazardous materials like mercury, leady, and heavy metals. It will further be examined for presence of prohibited phthalates and formaldehyde. The foam should have a low level of volatile organic compound emissions to significantly improve quality of indoor air. Lastly, the foam should pass the physical performance test to examine for durability.
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