Mattress Standards

Flammability

• Flammability standards address the problem of a mattress catching on fire from a cigarette or open flame, such as a candle. Prototypes of new mattress designs are tested in laboratory conditions to see if they will resist ignition and be slow to release heat.

Labels

• A label must be attached to new mattresses providing the manufacturer's address, as well as the month and year the mattress was manufactured. This information is for the benefit of the person who buys and uses a mattress, so the label cannot be removed by anyone except the ultimate consumer.

Records

• A mattress manufacturer or importer is required to keep detailed records, including a certification from the person who oversaw the flammability tests on the mattress prototype.

Chemicals

• Regulations apply to the content of certain chemicals, such as lead and phthalates, in products used by children. Efforts have been made to limit certain chemicals in mattresses, but experts and health advocates continue to debate acceptable levels, testing methods and enforcement of the rules.