Plastic Chair Quality Certification: How We Ensure Quality

The demand for new furniture designs and sustainable furniture is on the rise. This has forced furniture manufacturers to try and keep up with this demand. In most cases, many are so focused on trying to cope with the demand that they end up compromising on quality. But this does not have to be the case; we at Maka Furniture are committed to separate ourselves from the competition. We commit to providing our customers with a high-caliber design that delivers sustainability and ensure the safety and quality of our products.

But do we demonstrate that? It’s easy – we subject all of our products to rigorous third-party certification tests. You can only take our word for it when it comes to the quality of our products. But the only way we can give assurance to our clients that what we’re saying is true is if we validate it with certification testing. By undergoing certification tests, we give our customers the confidence to buy because our products have been tested for quality and safety. This is how we can guarantee that you can get added value for your purchase.

If you would like to learn more about our furniture testing and third-party certification, you have come to the right place. You will learn more about the tests that we have complied with so that you have an idea of what type of tests our projects undergo.

EN12520 Test

The first type of certification that we have complied with on our plastic chairs is the EN 12520 Test Certificate. This is a standard testing and compliance procedure on furniture that is required for domestic seating. It is a test to assess and verify the strength, durability, and safety of domestic seating furniture.

This is European standard testing that specifies the minimum requirements the tested subject must meet in terms of safety, strength, and durability. It is designated to all types of domestic seating for adult use; therefore, it does not apply to seating for non-domestic use such as office chairs, outdoor seating, linked seating, and seating for educational institutions.

The strength, durability and safety test only examines the material and the chair itself. It does not include the upholstery materials, seat height adjustment mechanism, reclining mechanism, and other advanced features that are integrated into the chair. Meanwhile, it does not take ergonomics, flammability, and degradation as part of evaluation.

The test is conducted based on the average weight of an adult, which is up to 110 kg.

It is considered the gold standard in terms of assessing the quality and performance of all domestic chairs, such as our plastic chairs. If you want to ensure the quality of the plastic chairs you buy, make sure to look for this particular certificate.

EN581 Test

Still on the subject of ensuring quality and performance on your plastic chairs, we can also proudly say that we have complied with and passed the EN581 test certification on our plastic chairs. This is another European standard test that we have gained certification for so we can give added assurance of quality to give added value for your money.

This standard test sets the minimum requirements that manufacturers must meet in terms of safety, stability, strength, and dimensions. It also provides guidelines on the durability of seating, whether for domestic or non-domestic use.

There are specific guidelines that are intended for every type of use for the seating furniture. The first part of the testing guideline provides the list of requirements that manufacturers must meet for general safety. These general safety requirements do not include the assessment of upholstery or any type of covering on the chair.

The second aspect of the EN581 test is for the mechanical safety of domestic and contract use seating. This specifies the guidelines and requirements for mechanical safety in the production of plastic chairs, especially those intended for outdoor use (like camping). It, however, does not take into account the materials used, manufacturing process, or the design. It only assesses the mechanical features and safety of the furniture piece based on adults weighing up to 110 kg. This test is not designed to assess the resilience of the product from degradation due to temperature, moisture, or sunlight exposure.

There are also guidelines under the EN581 test that are specified for tables. Therefore, you can rest assured that it is not just our plastic chairs that have been given this certification but all types of furniture. It provides general safety and mechanical safety requirements for furniture for outdoor use, especially camping.

Chemical Test

Chemical testing is another standard procedure that furniture manufacturers subject their products to as part of the effort to evaluate safety. There are a variety of third-party companies that can provide testing to ensure that the plastic chairs you get are free from harmful toxins, and thus safe to use at home (or office). There are two tests that our plastic chairs undergo: lead free test and phthalate content test.

Lead is a type of toxin that is commonly found in many paint formulas. When this paint is used on furniture items like tables and chairs, they can be exposed to humans that will be using them, creating a potential for lead poisoning, which can be fatal. It can also cause a wide range of reproductive and nervous system disorders in adults.

Therefore, we go the extra mile to undergo the lead free test on our plastic chairs (and other types of furniture) to assure our customers that our chairs are lead-free and safe for them to use. The lead-free test is conducted by a third party testing laboratory to ensure unbiased results.

Another type of chemical test performed on our plastic chairs is the Phthalate Content Test. Phthalate is a type of chemical that is often produced in high volume and used as plasticizers in PVC and PU products. There are many different kinds of this chemical component but they are responsible for making plastic materials soft and flexible. This contaminant can be absorbed through the skin and through inhalation, which makes it potentially harmful when used in furniture and exposed to humans for a long period of time.

Given the risk of exposure to this harmful substance, we make sure our plastic chairs satisfactorily complete the Phthalate Content Test. It is our way to assure our customers that our plastic chairs are free of this chemical so you can be confident in using our furniture products in your home.

Why Certification is Necessary When Buying Furniture?

Furniture items are one of the biggest investments you will make for your home or office (or any commercial space). It is a functional item that serves a purpose: for seating. It is, therefore, important that the chair or any furniture meets prevailing quality standards to ensure the safety of the user. Without certification, there is no guarantee of its quality and it could even lead to injuries.

Seeking a certification or compliance of testing is important when buying furniture. Make sure to look for one when you buy any piece of furniture – at home or in the office. This will ensure that the furniture has undergone third-party or unbiased testing and is set against industry standards. It will give you the assurance that the furniture has met the industry requirements that had been specified for these types of furniture items.

Without the certification, you will only take the word from the company. There is no guarantee that it has been tested and scrutinized by industry experts to assess its quality and if it delivers to its promise. Even if most furniture stores place a warranty on their products, the hassle of returning or exchanging an item that is damaged or faulty is not worth it. At the same time, you would not want to risk the safety of your family and your customers (for furniture intended for commercial use).

Aside from safety, another reason why you need to look for certification is to verify if the manufacturer’s claims are true. For instance, there are manufacturers that claim they use eco-friendly materials in the manufacturing process. Make sure you ask for certification that the materials used are eco-friendly. We can provide certification to ensure that the materials we use comply with our eco-friendly standards and that we can contribute to environmental protection through our manufacturing process. That is how we take it a step further in promoting sustainability with our products.

The Bottom Line

Quality should always come first when it comes to buying furniture locally or online. It’s non-negotiable. You can always change the style or look of furniture pieces but the quality is far more important as it gives added value to your investment. If you are going to invest in one at all, then you have to make sure it has proper certification that will serve as an assurance of its quality.