What Is Load Test?
The load test places load, at the declared capacity or the level defined in the standard, on the furniture's load-bearing surfaces and measures deflection and permanent deformation. The load is applied for a defined time, and after removal, whether the surface returns to its original state is checked.
Purpose of Load Test
The purpose is to verify that shelves and table tops safely carry the declared load and do not sag noticeably over time. Shelf sag is both an appearance and a safety issue.
Which Products Is Load Test Applied To?
- Bookcase and cabinet shelves
- Tables and worktops
- Kitchen cabinets and under-worktop units
- Storage and archive units
- Hanging rails and load-bearing elements
In Which Sectors Is Load Test Used?
Standards Related to Load Test
- TS EN 1730 (tables — strength and load tests)
- TS EN 16121 / 16122 (storage furniture — load tests)
- TS EN 14749 (storage furniture and worktops — requirements)
- TS EN 527-2 (office tables — mechanical safety requirements)
Load Test Conditions
- Load
- Declared capacity, or the level defined in the product standard
- Load distribution
- Distributed or point load as defined in the standard
- Time
- Dwell time defined in the standard
Equipment for Load Test
- Calibrated weights and load distribution plates
- Deflection measurement rig (dial gauge or laser)
- Conditioning room
Sample Requirements for Load Test
- Fully assembled product
- The declared shelf load capacity must be provided
- Shelf support pins and fasteners must be supplied with the product
- Different shelf positions on the same product can be measured separately
Duration of Load Test
Loading and dwell times determine the test duration. If long-term sag (creep) assessment is required, the test spans several days.
Load Test Procedure
- 1The product is assembled and conditioned.
- 2Initial measurements are taken with no load.
- 3The load is applied as defined in the standard.
- 4It is left for the defined time and deflection is measured.
- 5The load is removed and permanent deformation is measured after the recovery period.
- 6Load-bearing elements are checked for damage.
Load Test Acceptance Criteria
The acceptance criterion is the maximum deflection and permanent deformation limits defined in the product standard; there must also be no breakage or support separation under load. Values are confirmed from the product standard's current edition.
Evaluation of Results
Instantaneous deflection and permanent deformation are assessed separately: a shelf that bends under load and recovers once the load is removed is acceptable, whereas permanent sag is non-conformity. Since sag in wood-based shelves can increase over time, long-term loading gives a more realistic result.
Load Test Report
- Product identification and declared load capacity
- Standard, load and distribution applied
- Initial, under-load and post-recovery measurements
- Deflection and permanent deformation values
- 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 2001/95/EC General Product Safety Directive
- Regulation on the General Safety of Products
- Requirements of product standards such as EN 12520 / EN 1730
Mobilya Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Load 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 Load Test
How should I declare shelf capacity?
The claim must be backed by the test result. The test is performed at the value you declare; declaring a higher capacity than tested creates non-conformity. The claim must be stated in the instructions for use and on the product if required.
Does shelf width affect the result?
Yes, markedly. For a shelf of the same material and thickness, deflection increases rapidly as width increases. Separate testing, or testing the worst case, is required for models of different widths.