United States · Furniture

Furniture Surface Safety in the United States

A practical guide to Furniture Surface Safety for furniture sold in the United States: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Surface finishes must not release harmful substances and must resist normal wear; Online sellers shipping furniture to consumers in the United States

Authority

California Bureau of Household Goods and Services

Legal basis

California Technical Bulletin 117-2013

Local representative

A local responsible operator is required

Timeline

Before sale; testing takes weeks

Cost

Testing depends on product size and standard

If you do not comply

Recall, fines, and marketplace removal

Who needs this

Surface finishes must not release harmful substances and must resist normal wear
Online sellers shipping furniture to consumers in the United States

Documents you need

Surface finish test report
Stability and strength test reports
Flammability test reports where applicable
Technical file and declaration

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Surface finish test report
Stability and strength test reports
Flammability test reports where applicable
Technical file and declaration

How to comply

Test coatings and finishes for transfer
Identify the applicable furniture safety standard
Test stability, strength, and flammability
Prepare warnings and assembly instructions

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: Furniture Surface Safety — United States
Product category: Furniture
Authority: California Bureau of Household Goods and Services
Legal basis: California Technical Bulletin 117-2013

Documents we already have:
  1. Surface finish test report
  2. Stability and strength test reports
  3. Flammability test reports where applicable
  4. Technical file and declaration

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under Furniture Surface Safety in the United States?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale; testing takes weeks.

Testing depends on product size and standard.

Common rejection reasons

Coating contains restricted substances
Stability test missing
Flammability evidence missing
Warning labels absent

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.