Happy 15th anniversary to the CertiPUR-US® program! Administered by a nonprofit organization, the CertiPUR-US program was established in 2008 to counter substandard foams imported from other countries. In some cases, these substandard foams contained substances that had been banned in the U.S. or were listed by chemical watch groups as potentially harmful.
I am proud to have been involved with this organization since its inception when a group of visionary foam manufacturers, working in tandem with environmentalists, academics, chemists, industry associations and consumer groups, developed a testing, analysis and certification program that set rigorous standards for the flexible polyurethane foam used in bedding and upholstered furniture.
CertiPUR-US provides consumers with the comfort and confidence of knowing that certified foam meet our rigorous standards for content, emissions and durability and are analyzed by independent, accredited laboratories.
Now recognized worldwide, CertiPUR-US certified foams are:
- Made without ozone depleters
- Made without PBDEs or the following Tris flame retardants: TCEP, TDBPP, TDCPP or TEPA
- Made without mercury, lead and other heavy metals
- Made without formaldehyde
- Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)
CertiPUR-US® Technical Guidelines and testing requirements are updated periodically to reflect the latest science and new health, environmental and safety regulations.
We are proactive in ensuring certified foams remain in compliance. Certified foams are tested and analyzed twice in the first year and re-certified annually thereafter. In addition, we conduct random foam-production plant checks of participating foam producers to ensure that certified foams remain in compliance.
Thank you to the 90 foam producers who certify foams through us. Thank you to the more than 1,200 companies and brands that use certified foams to manufacture mattresses, pillows, toppers, sofas, recliners, sofa beds, cushions, upholstered chairs, pet beds, medical products for leg elevation and support — and more. Most of all, thank you to the consumers who care about the products they bring into their homes and check our listings of participating companies before they buy to be sure the foam inside is certified.
Next week we launch an all-new consumer directory of participating companies. The new directory will be searchable by company or brand name, product categories and location. More exciting news about the program to report soon. Stay tuned!
