EN 12520:2024

Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements for domestic seating

This document specifies the minimum requirements for the safety, strength and durability of all types of domestic seating for adults. It also specifies additional test methods for seat side-to-side durability as well as finger entrapment and shear and compression.
It does not apply to ranked seating, seating for non-domestic use, office work chairs, chairs for educational institutions, outdoor seating and to links for linked seating for which European Standards exist.
It does not include requirements for the durability of upholstery materials, castors, reclining and tilting mechanisms and seat height adjustment mechanisms.
It does not include requirements for electrical safety.
It does not include requirements for the resistance to ageing, degradation, flammability and ergonomics.
The requirements are based on use by persons weighing up to 110 kg.
Annex A (normative) specifies the seat side-to-side durability test in D-G points.
Annex B (informative) gives rationales for some of the tests referred to in Table 1.
Annex C (normative) specifies the test methods for finger entrapment and shear and compression.
Annex D (normative) specifies the seat loading point for seating with suspended flexible material.

Möbel - Sicherheit, Festigkeit und Dauerhaltbarkeit - Anforderungen an Sitzmöbel für den Wohnbereich

Dieses Dokument legt die Mindestanforderungen an die Sicherheit, Festigkeit und Dauerhaltbarkeit aller Arten von Sitzmöbeln für Erwachsene im Wohnbereich fest. Es legt auch zusätzliche Prüfverfahren für die Dauerhaltbarkeit bei Belastung von Seite zu Seite sowie Fangstellen für Finger und Scher- und Quetschstellen fest.
Es ist nicht anwendbar für festmontiertes Reihengestühl, Sitzmöbel für den Gebrauch im Nicht-Wohnbereich, Büroarbeitsstühle, Stühle für Bildungseinrichtungen, Außensitzmöbel sowie für die Verbindungselemente von miteinander verbundenen Sitzmöbeln, für die Europäische Normen existieren.
Es enthält keine Anforderungen an die Dauerhaltbarkeit von Polstermaterialien, Rollen, Neige- und Wippmechaniken und Sitzhöhenverstelleinrichtungen.
Es enthält keine Anforderungen an die elektrische Sicherheit.
Es enthält keine Anforderungen an die Alterungsbeständigkeit, Widerstandsfähigkeit gegen Zersetzung, Entflammbarkeit und Ergonomie.
Die Anforderungen beruhen auf dem Gebrauch durch Personen mit einem Körpergewicht bis zu 110 kg.
Anhang A (normativ) legt die Prüfung der Dauerhaltbarkeit des Sitzes an den Punkten D-G bei Belastung von Seite zu Seite fest.
Anhang B (informativ) enthält Begründungen für einige der in Tabelle 1 genannten Prüfungen.
Anhang C (normativ) legt die Prüfverfahren für Fingerfangstellen sowie Scher- und Quetschstellen fest.
Anhang D (normativ) legt den Belastungspunkt der Sitzfläche für Sitzmöbel mit hängendem flexiblem Material fest.

Meubles - Sécurité, résistance et durabilité - Exigences relatives aux sièges à usage domestique

Le présent document spécifie les exigences minimales relatives à la sécurité, à la résistance et à la durabilité de tous les types de sièges à usage domestique pour adultes. Il spécifie également des méthodes d’essai supplémentaires de fatigue alternée sur assise d’un côté et de l’autre de l’assise, ainsi que de coincement des doigts, de cisaillement et de compression.
Il ne s’applique pas aux sièges suivants : sièges en rangées, sièges à usage non domestique, sièges de travail de bureau, chaises pour les établissements d’enseignement, sièges à usage extérieur et éléments de liaison de sièges reliés les uns aux autres, qui font l’objet de Normes européennes.
Il ne comprend aucune exigence concernant la durabilité des matériaux d’ameublement, des roulettes, des mécanismes des sièges pivotants et inclinables et des mécanismes de réglage en hauteur.
Il ne comporte pas d’exigences relatives à la sécurité électrique.
Il ne comporte pas d’exigences relatives à la résistance au vieillissement, à la dégradation, à l’inflammabilité et à l’ergonomie.
Les exigences sont définies sur la base d’une utilisation par des personnes pesant jusqu’à 110 kg.
L’Annexe A (normative) spécifie l’essai de fatigue alternée sur assise d’un côté et de l’autre de l’assise, aux points D-G.
L’Annexe B (informative) fournit la justification pour certains des essais cités au Tableau 1.
L’Annexe C (normative) spécifie les méthodes d’essai de coincement des doigts, de cisaillement et de compression.
L’Annexe D (normative) spécifie le point de charge du siège pour les sièges comportant un matériau souple suspendu.

Pohištvo - Varnost, trdnost in trajnost - Zahteve za sedežno pohištvo za domačo uporabo

Ta dokument določa minimalne zahteve za varnost, trdnost in trajnost vseh vrst sedežnega pohištva za domačo uporabo za odrasle osebe. Določa tudi dodatne metode za preskušanje trajnosti sedežev od ene strani do druge, ukleščenja prstov ter strižne in tlačne trdnosti.
Ne uporablja se za vrstne sedeže, sedežno pohištvo za nedomačo uporabo, pisarniške delovne sedeže, sedežno pohištvo za izobraževalne ustanove, zunanje sedežno pohištvo in povezave za povezano sedežno pohištvo, za katere obstajajo evropski standardi.
Ne vključuje zahtev za trajnost tapetniških materialov, kolesc, mehanizmov za sklapljanje in prilagajanje naklona ter mehanizmov za nastavitev višine sedeža.
Ne vključuje zahtev za električno varnost.
Ne vključuje zahtev za odpornost proti staranju, razpadu, vnetljivosti in ergonomičnosti.
Zahteve temeljijo na uporabnikih s telesno maso največ 110 kg.
Dodatek A (normativni) določa trajnost sedeža od ene strani do druge v točkah D–G.
Dodatek B (informativni) podaja utemeljitve za nekatere preskuse iz preglednice 1.
Dodatek C (normativni) določa preskusne metode za ukleščenje prstov ter strižno in tlačno trdnost.
Dodatek D (normativni) določa točko obremenitve sedeža za sedežno opremo z visečim prožnim materialom.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 12-Nov-2024
• ICS: 97.140 - Furniture
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 207 - Furniture
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 207/WG 1 - Domestic furniture
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 13-Nov-2024
• Due Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Completion Date: 13-Nov-2024
• Ref Project: SIST EN 12520:2025 - Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements for domestic seating

Relations

• Replaces: EN 12520:2015 - Furniture - Strength, durability and safety - Requirements for domestic seating
• Effective Date: 08-Sep-2021
• Amended By: EN 12520:2024/prA1 - Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements for domestic seating
• Effective Date: 26-Mar-2025

Overview

EN 12520:2024 - published by CEN - sets the minimum safety, strength and durability requirements for domestic seating for adults. It defines a mandatory test sequence and associated test methods (referencing EN 1728:2012, EN 1022:2023 and EN 13759:2012) and adds specific procedures for seat side‑to‑side durability, finger entrapment, and shear and compression. Requirements are established for typical use by persons weighing up to 110 kg.

This standard applies to all types of domestic seating but explicitly excludes ranked seating, non‑domestic seating, office work chairs, educational seating, outdoor seating and linked seating already covered by other European standards. It does not cover electrical safety, upholstery material durability, castors, reclining/tilting or seat height adjustment mechanisms, nor resistance to ageing, flammability or ergonomics.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test sequence and parameters: Table 1 specifies the order of tests (static loads, durability cycles, impact and stability tests) and test parameters such as forces, cycle counts and drop heights (e.g., seat static and back static loads, seat impact test).
• Safety features: Requirements to avoid sharp edges, pinch points and hazardous holes (no accessible holes 7–12 mm unless depth <10 mm).
• Shear and compression: Limits on accessible gap dimensions during movement and use; separate provisions for setting/folding, non‑electrically powered mechanisms and use loads.
• Stability: Products must meet EN 1022:2023 stability requirements after testing.
• Durability and strength: Products are evaluated per EN 1728:2012; acceptance criteria include no fractures, no unintended loosening of rigid joints, retained function after testing and compliance with stability.
• Special cases: Annex A (normative) - side‑to‑side durability for single column seating (single support ≤ 120 mm); Annex C (normative) - finger entrapment and shear/compression test methods; Annex D - loading point for suspended flexible‑material seats; Annex B (informative) provides rationales.

Practical applications and users

EN 12520:2024 is used by:

• Furniture manufacturers and design engineers to validate domestic seating safety and durability
• Test laboratories performing conformity and pre‑production testing
• Certification bodies and compliance assessors in Europe
• Procurement specialists and spec writers creating performance requirements for residential furniture
• R&D teams improving durability, stability and safe mechanism design

Implementing this standard helps reduce user injury risks, supports product claims of durability and aids market access in CEN member countries.

Related standards

• EN 1728:2012 - Seating test methods for strength and durability
• EN 1022:2023 - Determination of seating stability
• EN 13759:2012 - Test methods for operating mechanisms (electrically operated seating durability included)
• CEN/TR 17202 - referenced for finger entrapment guidance; EN 17684 (in preparation) will address electrically operated furniture safety

Keywords: EN 12520:2024, domestic seating standard, safety strength durability, seat side‑to‑side durability, finger entrapment, CEN, seating test methods.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2025
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 12520:2016
Pohištvo - Varnost, trdnost in trajnost - Zahteve za sedežno pohištvo za domačo
uporabo
Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements for domestic seating
Möbel - Sicherheit, Festigkeit und Dauerhaltbarkeit - Anforderungen an Sitzmöbel für
den Wohnbereich
Meubles - Sécurité, résistance et durabilité - Exigences relatives aux sièges à usage
domestique
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 12520:2024
ICS:
97.140 Pohištvo Furniture
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 12520
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
November 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 97.140 Supersedes EN 12520:2015
English Version
Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements
for domestic seating
Meubles - Sécurité, résistance et durabilité - Exigences Möbel - Sicherheit, Festigkeit und Dauerhaltbarkeit -
relatives aux sièges à usage domestique Anforderungen an Sitzmöbel für den Wohnbereich
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 2 September 2024.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12520:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Test sequence . 5
5 Safety, strength and durability . 5
5.1 General safety requirements . 5
5.1.1 General. 5
5.1.2 Holes in tubular or rigid components . 6
5.1.3 Shear and compression points . 6
5.2 Stability . 6
5.3 Strength and durability . 6
5.4 Requirements . 8
6 Information for use . 9
7 Test report . 9
Annex A (normative) Seat side-to-side durability test in D-G points . 10
Annex B (informative) Rationales . 13
Annex C (normative) Test methods for finger entrapment and shear and compression . 15
Annex D (normative) Seat loading point for seating with suspended flexible material . 21
Bibliography . 22
European foreword
This document (EN 12520:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 207 “Furniture”,
the secretariat of which is held by UNI.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by May 2025, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by May 2025.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 12520:2015.
— updated to reflect the finger entrapment requirements within CEN/TR 17202, including an Annex
containing test methods;
— definition of single column seating was added;
— side to side durability test method and requirements for single column seating were added;
— Table 1 updated with information on applicability of test method dependent on type of the seating;
— seat impact test updated with requirements dependent on the seat height adjustability;
— testing of durability of electrically operated seating products added;
— clarification of seat loading point for seating with suspended flexible material by adding Annex D.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies the minimum requirements for the safety, strength and durability of all types
of domestic seating for adults. It also specifies additional test methods for seat side-to-side durability as
well as finger entrapment and shear and compression.
It does not apply to ranked seating, seating for non-domestic use, office work chairs, chairs for
educational institutions, outdoor seating and to links for linked seating for which European Standards
exist.
It does not include requirements for the durability of upholstery materials, castors, reclining and tilting
mechanisms and seat height adjustment mechanisms.
It does not include requirements for electrical safety.
It does not include requirements for the resistance to ageing, degradation, flammability and
ergonomics.
The requirements are based on use by persons weighing up to 110 kg.
Annex A (normative) specifies the seat side-to-side durability test in D-G points.
Annex B (informative) gives rationales for some of the tests referred to in Table 1.
Annex C (normative) specifies the test methods for finger entrapment and shear and compression.
Annex D (normative) specifies the seat loading point for seating with suspended flexible material.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1022:2023, Furniture — Seating — Determination of stability
EN 1728:2012, Furniture — Seating — Test methods for the determination of strength and durability
EN 13759:2012, Furniture — Operating mechanisms for seating and sofa-beds — Test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
accessible part
part to which access can easily be gained by the user when the seating is in its intended configuration of
use and for which the probability of unintentional user contact is high
3.2
foot rest
part intended to support the feet of the user which assists the user getting on or off an item of seating
[SOURCE: EN 1022:2023, 3.3, modified: Note 1 to entry was deleted.]
3.3
leg rest
extension of the seat area intended to support the legs of the user
Note 1 to entry: A leg rest can or cannot be permanently attached to the structure of the item of seating, and
might not be suitable for use as an item of seating itself.
[SOURCE: EN 1022:2023, 3.4]
3.4
single column seating
item of seating, whose upper part, which includes the seat, is mounted on a single support with a
diameter of up to 120 mm at its narrowest point
Note 1 to entry: This includes e.g. chairs with gas lifts.
[SOURCE: EN 1022:2023, 3.12, modified: “seat” was changed to “seating” in the term]
3.5
stool
seating unit without back rest or with a back rest, which has a height of ≤ 100 mm above the seat
surface
4 Test sequence
The tests shall be carried out on the same sample and in the order in which they are listed in Table 1.
With the exception of test no. 15 (EN 13759:2012), where a separate sample may be used.
5 Safety, strength and durability
5.1 General safety requirements
5.1.1 General
The seating shall be designed so as to minimize the risk of injury to the user.
All parts of the seating with which the user comes into contact during intended use when the seating is
positioned in its intended configuration of use shall be designed so that physical injury and damage are
avoided.
This requirement is met when:
a) the edges and corners of the seating which are directly in contact with the user are rounded or
chamfered;
b) all other edges and corners accessible during intended use are free from burrs and/or sharp edges.
Movable and adjustable parts shall be designed so that injuries and inadvertent operation are avoided.
Load bearing parts of the seating shall not become loose unintentionally.
All parts that are lubricated to assist sliding shall be designed to protect users from lubricant stains
when in normal use.
5.1.2 Holes in tubular or rigid components
There shall be no holes in the ends of tubular components or holes in rigid components in accessible
parts between 7 mm and 12 mm, unless the depth of penetration is less than 10 mm. This requirement
is fulfilled if there is no hazard present when tested in accordance with C.1.
5.1.3 Shear and compression points
5.1.3.1 General
The requirements contained within 5.1.3.2, 5.1.3.3 and 5.1.3.4 do not apply to electrically operated
furniture.
NOTE The requirements for electrically operated furniture will be provided in EN 17684, which is under
preparation.
5.1.3.2 Shear and compression points when setting up and folding
Unless 5.1.3.3 or 5.1.3.4 are applicable, shear and compression points that are created only during
setting up and folding are acceptable, because the user can be assumed to be in control of their
movements and to be able to cease applying the force immediately upon experiencing pain.
The edges of parts moving relative to each other and creating shear and compression points shall be as
specified in 5.1.1.
5.1.3.3 Shear and compression points under influence of non-electrically powered mechanisms
With the exception of operation of doors, flaps and extension elements, there shall be no areas where
the distance between two accessible parts moving relative to each other can be less than 25 mm, and
more than 8 mm in any position during movement that could present a risk of injury to the user,
created by parts of the furniture operated by non-electrically powered mechanisms, e.g. mechanical
springs and gas lifts.
This requirement is fulfilled if there is no hazard present when tested in accordance with C.2.3.
5.1.3.4 Shear and compression points during use
With the exception of operation of doors, flaps and extension elements, there shall be no areas where
the distance between two accessible parts moving relative to each other can be less than 18 mm, and
more than 8 mm in any position that could present a risk of injury to the user, created by loads applied
during normal use, e.g. attempting to move the seating by lifting the seat or by adjusting the back rest
when a person is sitting in the product.
The loads used for durability tests within Table 1 are considered representative of normal use.
This requirement is fulfilled if there is no hazard present when tested in accordance with C.2.3.
5.2 Stability
The seating shall fulfil the relevant requirements of EN 1022:2023 after having completed the relevant
tests listed in Table 1.
In the case of seating, which might not fulfil the stability requirements before carrying out any tests, the
applicable stability tests may be carried out before starting the sequence of tests specified in Table 1.
5.3 Strength and durability
Seating shall be tested for strength and durability according to and in the order given in Table 1 and in
accordance with the test conditions contained in EN 1728:2012.
Tests no. 1, 2, 3.1, 3.2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15 are considered to be relevant to safety.
Seating with a seat and back made of one piece of flexible material suspended in the upper part of the
back rest and the front of the seat shall be tested according to Annex D. For this type of seating, only the
tests on seat shall be carried out.
Table 1 — Tests and test sequence
Test Application Reference Test parameters
1. Seat static load and All EN 1728:2012, 6.4 Seat force F1, N 1 300
back static load test
Back force F , N 450
Minimum back force, N 410
Load applied to seats not 750
being tested, N
Cycles 10
2. Seat front edge static All EN 1728:2012, 6.5 Force, N 1 300
load test
Load applied to seats not 750
being tested, N
Cycles 10
3.1 Foot rest static load All EN 1728:2012, 6.8 Force, N 1 0
...