What Is Chair Test?
The chair test is not a single test but a set applied to seating: static loads on the seat and backrest, armrest and leg loading, seat and backrest cycling tests, drop impact and tip-over stability. The methods are in EN 1728 and EN 1022; pass levels are defined according to area of use in EN 12520 (domestic), EN 16139 (non-domestic) or EN 1335 (office).
Purpose of Chair Test
The purpose is to show as a whole that the chair is safe and durable in its declared use class. Passing a single test does not make the product compliant; it is assessed as a set.
Which Products Is Chair Test Applied To?
- Domestic chairs and armchairs
- Office work chairs
- Restaurant, café and hotel chairs
- School and conference chairs
- Stools and bar chairs
In Which Sectors Is Chair Test Used?
Standards Related to Chair Test
- TS EN 1728 (seating — test methods for strength and durability)
- TS EN 1022 (determination of stability)
- TS EN 12520 (domestic chairs — requirements)
- TS EN 16139 (non-domestic seating — requirements)
- TS EN 1335-1/-2/-3 (office work chairs)
- TS EN 15373 (non-domestic seating — strength and durability)
Chair Test Conditions
- Use class
- Domestic, office or non-domestic; this is what sets the levels
- Test set
- Static, cyclic, impact and stability tests are applied together
- Sequence
- The tests are carried out in the order defined in the standard, on the same specimen
Equipment for Chair Test
- Seat and backrest loading rigs
- Cyclic loading systems
- Drop impact rig
- Stability test platform
- Gas-column and castor test rigs for office chairs
Sample Requirements for Chair Test
- Fully assembled, ready-for-sale chair
- Multiple specimens are usually required; the test set consumes a single specimen
- The declared use class and user weight limit must be provided
- Adjustment mechanisms must be in working order
Duration of Chair Test
Static and stability tests are quick; cyclic tests determine the duration and can extend from days to weeks depending on the use class.
Chair Test Procedure
- 1The chair is assembled, conditioned and its initial state is recorded.
- 2Stability tests (forward, sideways, backward tipping) are applied.
- 3Static loads are applied to the seat, backrest, armrests and legs.
- 4Cyclic seat and backrest tests are carried out.
- 5Drop impact is applied.
- 6After each step, damage and function are checked.
Chair Test Acceptance Criteria
The product standard requires no breakage, joint separation, loss of stability or malfunction throughout the test set. The method standard defines how the force is applied, not how much. Force levels and cycle counts come from the product standard (such as EN 12520, EN 12521, EN 14749, EN 527) or from the contract; different levels are defined for domestic, office and contract use.
Evaluation of Results
Because the tests are carried out in sequence on the same specimen, cumulative damage is part of the assessment. On adjustable office chairs, the gas column and castor assembly are subject to separate tests; passing the seat body does not cover them.
Chair Test Report
- Product identification, use class and user weight limit
- Method and product standards applied
- Load, cycles and result for each test step
- Damage observations and photographs
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- (EU) 2023/988 General Product Safety Regulation
Mobilya Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Chair Test test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Furniture testing shows that a product stays safe and functional throughout its expected service life. Tests are run with loading cycles representing real use: sitting, leaning back, opening and closing drawers, loading doors, loading shelves and tipping.
The logic of the field rests on the NUMBER OF CYCLES. Sitting on a chair once shows nothing; repeating it tens of thousands of times reveals structural weaknesses. Furniture tests therefore combine static loading with fatigue cycles and define different levels according to intensity of use: domestic use, commercial use and heavy commercial use mean different cycle counts for the same product.
TIP-OVER SAFETY carries particular weight in this family. Because storage furniture tipping onto a child has caused serious injuries and deaths, product standards define separate tests for it: loading with drawers open, hanging from a door and climbing scenarios are simulated. In the United States this subject has become a legislative heading of its own and has produced a mandatory specification.
The second axis is chemical and concerns indoor air quality. Formaldehyde release from wood-based panels and volatile organic compound emissions from coatings and textile components are measured. For formaldehyde, a restriction regulation applies on the EU side and CARB Phase 2 and TSCA Title VI limits in North America; these limits differ and export requires assessment against the destination market.
The third axis is flammability. In upholstered furniture the filling material and the upholstery fabric are assessed together; real ignition sources such as a cigarette and a match flame are simulated. The United Kingdom has historically applied the strictest national regime on this subject.
Surface durability is the fourth axis: abrasion, scratching, stain resistance, heat and moisture resistance, light fastness. These tests show how well the product will keep its appearance and shape commercial expectations particularly for kitchen and office furniture.
There is NO sector-specific CE regime for consumer furniture; safety is demonstrated under the general product safety framework using EN durability standards. For furniture permanently fixed into a structure, construction products legislation may come into play. This distinction matters in project work: a kitchen cabinet and a built-in system fabricated in place can fall under different regimes.
Method groups in this field
Seating
Seat and back loading cycles, arm strength, drop test, tipping resistance, leg and joint strength.
Tables and work surfaces
Static and cyclic loading, horizontal strength, tipping, surface durability.
Storage furniture
Shelf and door loading, drawer cycles, tip-over safety and climbing scenarios.
Beds and mattresses
Durability cycles, edge strength, loss of thickness after loading.
Emissions
Formaldehyde release (chamber, perforator and gas analysis methods), VOC emission test chamber measurements.
Surface and flammability
Abrasion, scratching, staining, heat and moisture resistance; ignitability in upholstered furniture.
Commonly confused in this field
- A result obtained for domestic use does not support a claim of commercial use; the cycle counts and levels are different.
- Tip-over safety is a separate test; passing the durability cycles does not demonstrate tip-over safety.
- Formaldehyde limits differ by market; EU compliance does not mean CARB/TSCA compliance.
- Flammability in upholstered furniture is valid for the COMBINATION of fabric and filling; a change of fabric requires reassessment.
- A result obtained on one model does not cover the whole range; differences in size, material and joints may require separate assessment.
Which decisions these results support
- Determining the durability class for commercial and domestic use
- Tip-over safety and child safety conformity
- Compliance with formaldehyde and VOC emission limits
- Meeting tender and project specification requirements
- Determining destination market requirements for export
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Chair Test
How many chairs do I need to send?
The test set consumes the specimen and some steps require a separate specimen. The exact number depends on the product standard applied and the test list; the specimen count is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Is my domestic-class certificate valid for a café?
No. Non-domestic use (EN 16139) defines markedly higher load and cycle levels. If you will sell into settings such as restaurants and hotels, testing to that standard is required.