Furniture Glossary & Testing Standards
An A–Z guide to furniture testing standards, EU compliance, packaging, quality control and responsible sourcing for professional furniture buyers.
A
AATCC Testing
Textile test methods used to evaluate fabric performance, including colourfastness, abrasion, water resistance and other properties relevant to upholstery materials.
Abrasion Test
A test used to measure how well upholstery fabrics or furniture surfaces resist wear caused by repeated friction.
ANSI/ASQ Z1.4
A sampling inspection standard used to determine sample sizes and acceptance criteria for quality control.
Abrasion Resistance
The ability of a fabric or surface to withstand rubbing and wear during repeated use.
Acceptable Quality Limit (AQL)
A statistical quality inspection method used to determine the acceptable number of defects within a production batch.
Anti-Slip Test
A test used to evaluate whether furniture feet, bases or surfaces provide sufficient resistance against unwanted sliding.
B
Batch Consistency
The consistency of colour, texture and performance between different production batches of fabrics, coatings or other furniture materials.
BS 5852
A British fire safety standard used to assess the ignitability of upholstered seating materials and furniture.
BS EN 16139
The British adoption of the European standard covering strength, durability and safety requirements for non-domestic seating.
Box Compression Test (BCT)
A packaging test used to measure how much compression force a carton can withstand during stacking, storage and transportation.
BS EN 12520
The British adoption of the European standard covering safety, strength and durability requirements for domestic seating furniture.
Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)
A supply-chain social compliance system used to assess working conditions and responsible business practices at manufacturing facilities.
C
CARB Phase 2
A formaldehyde emission requirement for composite wood products used in furniture, including MDF, particleboard and plywood.
Certificate of Conformity (CoC)
A document confirming that a product complies with specified standards, regulations or buyer requirements.
Colour Fastness
The ability of a fabric or surface finish to resist fading or colour transfer caused by light, rubbing, washing or use.
Carton Compression Test
A packaging test used to evaluate how well a shipping carton withstands stacking pressure during storage and transportation.
Chain of Custody (CoC)
A traceability system used to verify the origin and movement of certified materials, such as FSC or PEFC wood, through the supply chain.
Chemical Compliance
The process of ensuring furniture materials, coatings, adhesives and textiles meet applicable chemical safety regulations such as REACH.
D
Declaration of Conformity
A formal document stating that a product meets applicable regulatory, safety or technical requirements.
Dimensional Inspection
A quality check used to verify that furniture dimensions, tolerances and component sizes match approved specifications.
Due Diligence
A process used by buyers and suppliers to assess compliance risks, material origin and supply-chain responsibilities before purchasing.
Defect Classification
A quality control system that groups defects as critical, major or minor based on their impact on product safety and usability.
Drop Test
A packaging test used to evaluate whether furniture packaging can protect products from impacts during handling and transportation.
Durability Test
A test used to evaluate how well furniture withstands repeated use, loading and movement over time.
E
EN 12520
A European standard specifying safety, strength and durability requirements for domestic seating furniture.
EN 15372
A European standard defining strength, durability and safety requirements for non-domestic tables used in commercial environments.
EUDR
The EU Deforestation Regulation requiring certain commodities and products to meet due-diligence and deforestation-free sourcing requirements.
EN 12521
A European standard covering safety, strength and durability requirements for tables intended for domestic use.
EN 16139
A European standard covering strength, durability and safety requirements for non-domestic seating such as contract and hospitality chairs.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
A policy approach that makes producers responsible for the collection, recycling and end-of-life management of products or packaging.
F
Factory Audit
An assessment of a supplier’s production capability, quality systems, working conditions and compliance before or during cooperation.
Fabric Pilling Test
A test used to measure a fabric’s tendency to form small fibre balls or surface fuzz after repeated friction.
Formaldehyde Emission Test
A test used to measure formaldehyde released from furniture materials such as MDF, particleboard, plywood or adhesives.
Fabric Abrasion Test
A test used to evaluate how well upholstery fabric resists surface wear caused by repeated rubbing during use.
Fire Resistance Test
A test used to evaluate how furniture materials or upholstered products react to ignition, flame or heat exposure.
FSC Chain of Custody
A certification system that tracks FSC-certified forest materials through processing, manufacturing and the supply chain.
G
General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
An EU regulation requiring consumer products, including furniture, to meet general safety, traceability and market surveillance requirements.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
A textile certification standard covering organic fibres, processing, chemical restrictions and environmental and social requirements.
Green Procurement
A purchasing approach that considers environmental performance, material sourcing, recyclability and lifecycle impact when selecting furniture products.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
A certification standard that verifies recycled content and sets requirements for traceability, chemical use and responsible production.
GREENGUARD Certification
A certification program that evaluates products for low chemical and VOC emissions to support healthier indoor air quality.
Glue Bond Strength Test
A test used to evaluate the strength and durability of adhesive joints in wood, panels and other bonded furniture components.
H
Hazardous Substance Testing
Testing used to identify restricted or harmful chemicals in furniture materials, coatings, adhesives and textiles.
Honeycomb Paper Packaging
A lightweight recyclable packaging material used to protect furniture while reducing plastic use and overall packaging weight.
Hydrolysis Resistance Test
A test used to evaluate how well synthetic leather, coatings or upholstery materials resist deterioration caused by heat and moisture.
Heavy Metal Testing
A chemical test used to detect metals such as lead, cadmium and mercury in coatings, finishes and furniture components.
Horizontal Static Load Test
A structural test that applies horizontal force to furniture to evaluate strength, stability and resistance to deformation.
Humidity Conditioning
A controlled process used to expose furniture materials or test samples to specific humidity conditions before performance testing.ve joints in wood, panels and other bonded furniture components.
I
Incoming Quality Control (IQC)
A quality inspection process used to check incoming materials and components before they enter furniture production.
ISO 2859-1
An international standard for acceptance sampling by attributes, commonly used together with AQL in product inspections.
ISO/IEC 17025
An international standard specifying competence requirements for testing and calibration laboratories.
Inspection Level
A sampling parameter used to determine how many units should be inspected from a production lot during quality control.
ISO 9001
An international quality management standard used to evaluate whether a company has a consistent and controlled quality system.
ISTA 3A
A packaged-product test procedure used to evaluate whether products can withstand hazards encountered during parcel delivery and distribution.
J
Janka Hardness Test
A test used to measure the resistance of wood to denting and wear, helping buyers compare the hardness of different timber species.
Joint Strength Test
A structural test used to measure the load-bearing strength of furniture joints, fasteners and connection points.
Joint Integrity
The ability of furniture connections and joints to remain secure, stable and functional throughout normal use.
Joint Durability Test
A test used to evaluate whether furniture joints can withstand repeated loading and movement during long-term use.
Joint Fatigue Test
A repeated-cycle test used to assess how furniture joints perform under continuous loading over time.
Just-in-Time (JIT) Production
A production and supply-chain method that reduces inventory by producing materials or furniture closer to the required delivery time.
K
Knock-Down Packaging Test
A test used to evaluate whether flat-packed or knock-down furniture packaging can protect components during handling, storage and transportation.
Kraft Paper Packaging
A recyclable paper-based packaging material commonly used for furniture wrapping, cushioning and plastic-reduction packaging solutions.
Knock-Down Joint Test
A structural test used to assess the strength and durability of detachable furniture joints designed for repeated assembly and disassembly.
Kitemark Certification
A third-party certification mark used to demonstrate that a product or system has been independently tested against specified standards.
L
Laboratory Accreditation
Formal recognition that a testing laboratory is competent to perform specific tests according to defined technical standards.
Lead Content Test
A chemical test used to measure lead levels in coatings, paints, metals and other furniture components.
LUCID Packaging Register
Germany’s packaging registration system for companies placing packaged goods on the German market under VerpackG requirements.
Laboratory Test Report
A document issued by a laboratory summarizing test methods, conditions, results and whether a product meets specified requirements.
Leather Colour Fastness
A test used to evaluate how well leather resists colour fading or transfer caused by rubbing, light or normal use.
Load Test
A structural test that applies a specified force or weight to furniture to evaluate strength, stability and load-bearing performance.
M
Martindale Abrasion Test
A widely used test for measuring the abrasion resistance and durability of upholstery fabrics under repeated rubbing.
Material Traceability
A system used to track the origin, batch and movement of materials through furniture production and the supply chain.
Moisture Content Test
A test used to measure moisture levels in wood and other materials to help prevent warping, cracking or dimensional instability.
Major Defect
A quality issue that may affect product function, appearance or customer acceptance but does not usually create an immediate safety risk.
Mechanical Safety Test
A test used to evaluate whether furniture structures, moving parts and components present mechanical safety risks during normal use.
Migration Test
A chemical test used to assess whether restricted substances can transfer from furniture materials, coatings or finishes under specified conditions.
N
Non-Conformity
A condition where a product, material or process fails to meet specified standards, specifications or buyer requirements.
Non-Domestic Furniture Standard
A standard covering furniture intended for commercial, hospitality, office or other public-use environments rather than household use.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
An inspection method used to evaluate materials or components without damaging or permanently altering the product.
Non-Conformity Report (NCR)
A formal quality document used to record, investigate and correct products or processes that do not meet requirements.
Non-Domestic Seating Test
A test used to evaluate the strength, durability and safety of seating intended for commercial or public environments.
Nominal Load
A specified reference load used during furniture testing to evaluate structural strength, stability or performance under defined conditions.
O
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
A textile certification that tests fabrics and components for harmful substances and chemical safety.
Outgoing Quality Control (OQC)
A final quality check performed before finished furniture products are packed or released for shipment.
Overturning Test
A safety test used to assess the risk of furniture tipping or overturning during normal or foreseeable use.
On-Site Inspection
A quality inspection carried out at the factory or warehouse to verify products, packaging and production conditions before shipment.
Overall Stability Test
A test used to evaluate whether furniture remains stable and resists tipping under specified loading conditions.
Odour Test
An evaluation used to identify unacceptable or excessive odours from furniture materials, adhesives, coatings or upholstery.
P
Packaging Compliance
The process of ensuring furniture packaging meets applicable legal, environmental, labelling and recycling requirements in the target market.
Pilling Test
A textile test used to evaluate a fabric’s tendency to form small fibre balls or surface fuzz after repeated rubbing.
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI)
A final inspection carried out before shipment to verify product quality, quantity, workmanship, packaging and order requirements.
PEFC Chain of Custody
A certification system used to trace PEFC-certified forest materials through processing, manufacturing and the supply chain.
PPWR
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation covering packaging sustainability, recyclability, labelling, waste reduction and producer responsibilities.
Product Traceability
A system used to track furniture products, materials and production batches through manufacturing and the supply chain.
Q
Quality Assurance (QA)
A systematic process used to prevent quality problems by controlling procedures, standards and production requirements throughout furniture manufacturing.
Quality Inspection
A structured check of furniture workmanship, dimensions, function, appearance and packaging during or after production.
Quality Sampling
A method of selecting a representative number of units from a production batch for inspection instead of checking every item.
Quality Control (QC)
The inspection and testing activities used to verify that furniture products meet approved specifications and buyer requirements.
Quality Management System (QMS)
A documented system of procedures and responsibilities used to manage and continuously improve product quality.
Quality Test Report
A document summarizing inspection or laboratory test results and whether the furniture product meets specified quality requirements.
R
REACH
An EU regulation controlling the registration, use and restriction of chemicals in products, including furniture materials, coatings, adhesives and textiles.
REACH SVHC
Substances of Very High Concern identified under REACH that may require additional disclosure, control or supply-chain communication.
Recycled Content
The proportion of recycled material used in a product, component or packaging, often verified for sustainability and sourcing claims.
REACH Annex XVII
A section of REACH that restricts the use of specific hazardous substances in products placed on the EU market.
Random Sampling
A quality inspection method in which units are selected randomly from a production batch to represent overall product quality.
Restricted Substances List (RSL)
A list of chemicals and substances that are prohibited or limited in materials, components or finished furniture products.
S
Seat Durability Test
A repeated-load test used to evaluate whether a chair seat can withstand long-term use without structural failure or excessive deformation.
SMETA Audit
A widely used social compliance audit covering labour standards, health and safety, environmental practices and business ethics.
Static Load Test
A structural test that applies a fixed load to furniture for a specified period to assess strength and deformation.
Seat Impact Test
A test used to assess how a chair seat responds to sudden impact loads during normal or foreseeable use.
Stability Test
A safety test used to evaluate whether furniture resists tipping or overturning under specified loading conditions.
SVHC Candidate List
The EU list of Substances of Very High Concern identified under REACH that may trigger disclosure and supply-chain communication obligations.
T
Table Stability Test
A safety test used to evaluate whether a table remains stable and resists tipping under specified loading conditions.
Tensile Strength Test
A test used to measure how much pulling force a fabric, leather or other material can withstand before breaking.
Transport Packaging Test
A test used to evaluate whether furniture packaging can protect products from vibration, impact, compression and handling during transportation.
TB 117-2013
A California flammability standard that sets smolder-resistance requirements for filling materials used in upholstered furniture.
Third-Party Inspection
An independent quality inspection performed by an external company to verify furniture quality, quantity, packaging and order requirements.
TSCA Title VI
A U.S. formaldehyde emission regulation covering composite wood products such as MDF, particleboard and hardwood plywood.
U
Upholstery Abrasion Test
A test used to measure how well upholstery fabric withstands repeated rubbing and surface wear during normal furniture use.
UV Resistance Test
A test used to evaluate how well fabrics, coatings and furniture materials resist fading, discoloration or degradation caused by ultraviolet light exposure.
V
VerpackG
Germany’s Packaging Act regulating packaging registration, recycling obligations and producer responsibilities for companies placing packaged goods on the German market.
Visual Inspection
A quality check used to identify visible defects in furniture, including scratches, colour differences, stitching issues and poor workmanship.
VOC Testing
A laboratory test used to measure volatile organic compound emissions from furniture materials and finished products.
Vibration Test
A packaging test used to evaluate whether furniture and its packaging can withstand vibration during transport and distribution.
VOC Emissions
Volatile organic compounds released from furniture materials, coatings, adhesives or finishes that may affect indoor air quality.
Vertical Static Load Test
A structural test that applies a specified vertical force to furniture to evaluate strength, deformation and load-bearing performance.
W
Water Resistance Test
A test used to evaluate how well furniture surfaces, coatings or materials resist water exposure, staining and moisture damage.
Weathering Resistance
The ability of furniture materials and finishes to resist degradation caused by light, moisture, temperature changes and outdoor exposure.
Wood Moisture Content
The amount of moisture contained in wood, an important factor affecting dimensional stability, cracking, warping and furniture quality.
Wear Resistance
The ability of a furniture surface, coating or upholstery material to withstand repeated use, friction and surface deterioration.
Weight Capacity Test
A structural test used to determine whether furniture can safely support a specified load without failure or excessive deformation.
Wooden Packaging Compliance
Requirements applying to wooden pallets, crates and packaging materials used in international shipping, including relevant treatment and marking rules.
X
Xenon Arc Weathering Test
A laboratory test that uses xenon light to simulate sunlight exposure and evaluate fading, ageing and weather resistance of furniture materials and finishes.
XRF Screening
A rapid analytical method used to screen furniture materials, coatings and components for elements such as lead, cadmium and other restricted substances.
Y
Yarn Strength Test
A test used to measure the tensile strength and durability of yarns used in upholstery fabrics before or during material evaluation.
Yellowing Resistance Test
A test used to evaluate how well furniture materials, foams, coatings or fabrics resist yellowing caused by light, heat or ageing.
Z
ZDHC
A global initiative focused on reducing hazardous chemicals in textile, leather and footwear supply chains through safer chemical management practices.
Zero-Waste Packaging
A packaging approach designed to minimize unnecessary materials and improve reuse, recyclability and waste reduction throughout distribution.
ZDHC MRSL
A Manufacturing Restricted Substances List that limits hazardous chemicals used during material and textile manufacturing processes.
Zinc Coating Thickness
A measurement used to verify the thickness of zinc coatings applied to metal furniture components for corrosion protection.