For Foam Suppliers

How foam suppliers benefit

Demand for certified foam is increasing. Today, every major foam supplier in the U.S., as well as a growing number of foam suppliers based outside the U.S., offer flexible polyurethane foam that has been tested and approved through the CertiPUR-US® program.

Being able to offer certified foam for bedding or upholstered furniture gives foam suppliers the value-added edge in today’s highly competitive market by:

  • Protecting your reputation by differentiating your products from substandard foams
  • Reassuring customers about your foam
  • Addressing topical consumer issues
  • Demonstrating your commitment to environmental stewardship

What products can be certified?

Each CertiPUR-US® registration covers only a specific class of polyetherbased flexible polyurethane foam manufactured with the same raw materials. The categories are:

  • Conventional polyether foam
  • Conventional FR polyether foam (sharing the same flame retardant package)
  • Super-soft (low density/low hardness) conventional foam (≤15 lbs. IFD and ≤1.5 pcf)
  • High Resilience foam
  • Viscoelastic foam
  • Other foams to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a CertiPUR-US® administrator.

How do I get my products certified by CertiPUR-US®?

1.

Decide which of the six foam groups you want to earn certification. Multiples are encouraged!

  • Conventional polyether foam
  • Conventional fire-retardant polyether foam
  • Super-soft conventional polyether foam
  • High-resilience (HR) foam
  • Viscoelastic foam
  • Other foams considered on a case-by-case basis

2.

Read/download
the CertiPUR-US®
Guidelines
and request an
application at
info@certipur.us.

3.

Test the physical properties of representative foams to meet CertiPUR-US® guidelines for performance and durability.

4.

Send samples of representative foams(s) to a CertiPUR-US®-approved laboratory for analytical testing.

5.

Submit the signed application and all test data to AFPF.

6.

If approved, pay the registration fee.

7.

Read, sign, and submit
Form B on p. 4 of the
CertiPUR-US®
Branding & Style
Terms of Use Manual. (In order for your customers to use the CertiPUR-US® mark/logo/name, they must follow 3 Essential Steps.)

8.

Repeat Steps 3-6 in six months (foams that achieve two consecutive certifications earn the right to be retested annually for re-certification)

 

How do I start the processing of certifying a foam?

For foam suppliers interested in certifying flexible polyurethane foam, the place to start is the U.S. Voluntary Physical Performance and Environmental Guidelines for Prime Flexible Polyether Polyurethane Foam for Use in Furniture and Bedding (PDF).

This document, which we call the Guidelines, contains the technical requirements for certification of flexible polyurethane foams through the CertiPUR-US® program. The Guidelines were established with guidance from the global foam industry and in conjunction with the leadership of the mattress and upholstered furniture industries. In addition, an advisory panel of scientists, academics, environmentalists and representatives of consumer groups provided invaluable input in the development of the Guidelines.

Application for CertiPUR-US® certification is open to all manufacturers of flexible polyurethane. Companies need to submit applications, lab test results, affidavits and declarations on prohibited substances. Certain conditions and limitations apply. For an application and information about fees, contact info@certipur.us.

What is the certification period?

Foam manufacturers register for a 6-month period. CertiPUR-US® fees include six months license to use the certification mark for each foam class tested. After successfully completing two consecutive 6-month periods, renewal continues on an annual basis.

Download a copy of the complete Guidelines to certification, U.S. Voluntary Physical Performance and Environmental Guidelines for Prime Flexible Polyether Polyurethane Foam for Use in Furniture and Bedding (PDF). This is the document which establishes baseline criteria for product physical performance, component analysis, and product emissions evaluation.

What is the policy regarding changing the Guidelines?

It is our policy to be transparent and to be responsive to changes in what we know about components of flexible polyurethane foam. We are continually evaluating information from the science community, stakeholders, and government and regulatory agencies to assess these Guidelines. For that reason, we consider these Guidelines to be a living document that may be revised when good science and responsible regulatory concern warrant. Any changes are made by the consent of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam, Inc., the organization that manages the CertiPUR-US® program. Policies related to revisions of the document and appropriate forms to request a revision may be obtained through info@afpf.com.

How do you verify that foams are certified?

AFPF conducts random on-site foam production plant checks of participating suppliers. Samples of certified foams are subjected to chemical and physical testing at independent laboratories to verify that they comply with all CertiPUR-US® Technical Guidelines. We’re also monitoring websites, promotional materials, news articles that appear in the media, advertising and more. You can help. If you see a product that you believe is falsely claiming to use CertiPUR-US®-certified foam, please let us know and we will follow up and either confirm legitimate use or take legal action against false claims. If you suspect misuse, please contact us.

Use of the CertiPUR-US® Mark/Logo/Name

Companies using the CertiPUR-US® seal are required to conform to specific requirements outlined in the CertiPUR-US® Branding and Style Terms of Use Manual. Your customers do not have permission to use the CertiPUR-US® mark/logo/name until they have received permission from AFPF/CertiPUR-US® administrators. Learn more here.

What do I need to tell my customers so that they have permission to use the CertiPUR-US® mark/logo/name — and get listed on the certipur.us website?

Just send your customers a link to 3 Essential Steps. Note that one of the steps requires that you submit CertiPUR-US® Supplier Verification Form A on their behalf.

Information about our CertiPUR-US® supporters