Currently the most frequent certification on mattresses may be the sage green ring with CertiPUR-US® throughout the white center. The seal looks impressive, however, many consumers wonder, “What is CertiPUR-US?”
CertiPUR-US is a organization established to check flexible polyurethane foam (including memory foam), which is used in furniture upholstery, CertiPUR and pillows. It was actually established with the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam, Inc., a manufacturer’s organization, to ensure that manufacturers of polyurethane foam meet certain standards. This was six years after EUROPUR, a European polyurethane manufacturing group, established CertiPUR.
There are several observers and critics who take note of the connection between manufacturers and certification of the products. About the positive side, this is certainly viewed as a self-policing to hold the caliber of foams high. In this respect, many industries view vigorous self-regulation as a means of avoiding governmental regulation. In case the standards to meet are sufficient, this would be a good thing.
Eventually, it’s not great for the chemical companies associated with polyurethane foams. Foam manufacturers are now looking to influence public perception by becoming certified with the CertiPUR-US standard.
They insert a table comparing CertiPUR-US’s maximum allowable levels for emissions of four chemicals with those of Greenguard Gold, which is the stricter of Greenguard’s two certifications, tailored to the greater sensitivities of infants and youngsters.
Since exactly what is a safe and healthful measure of certain ingredients may depend upon individual sensitivities, what needs to be allowed is debatable. But being aware what the standards are for these particular from a certifying body does give consumers a choice of what degree of exposure they are able to tolerate. Take note that emissions continue a long time after they cannot be smelled.
In 2013, Helen Sullivan, the Communications Counsel for CertiPUR-US, claimed that the group tests flexible polyurethane foams for content, performance, and indoor emissions. Put simply: What chemicals, metals as well as other substances happen to be in the foam, at what levels, and are they exactly like listed? Does the foam have similar density and ILD as claimed? What gasses are emitted, and at what levels?
Ever since the managing body of CertiPUR-US is undoubtedly an association of foam manufacturers, this makes it an additional party certification, no less than with regards to the standards have concerns. Although the organization itself fails to perform the testing. To insure that this testing itself is expert and third party, qualifying testing firms do that in their own laboratories. This means that regardless of whether we are content with the standards, the foam does meet those standards.
Just how many mattresses bear the CertiPUR-US seal? A lot of to list here. It really is reliable advice that almost all mattresses, pillows and upholstered furniture using polyurethane foam and memory foam, including Tempur-Pedic, Selectabed, Tempflow, and Snuggle-Pedic, are certified by CertiPUR-US.
The 1st assumption of many of us if we see the name “CertiPUR” would be to assume that the “PUR” stands for pure. Actually, it features a double meaning, since it also represents PolyURethane.