HandCrafted in Canada • Natural Materials • No Harmful Chemicals

What does CertiPUR-US® certified mean?

CertiPUR-US® certification is commonly seen in the mattress world today, which is a good thing. CertiPUR-US® is a third party certification agency the ensures flexible polyurethane foams meet certain criteria. Those criteria are:

  • Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP ("Tris") flame retardants
  • Made without mercury, lead and other heavy metals
  • Made without formaldehyde
  • Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)

The manufacturer is generally implying that its mattresses are safe and healthy. As we take a look at other manufacturers websites, we’ve noticed that some of them can be slightly misleading or exaggerate about what the certification means. Occasionally they will imply that their mattresses are made without fire retardants and this certification proves that.  It’s important to note that these foams still have chemical fire retardants, although it does suggest that they are made without the most known harmful ones. It’s also important to note that this does not mean that these mattresses don’t off-gas VOC’s. The certification only means that in a lab setting, the mattresses emit less than 0.5 parts per million, which is the level that has been deemed safe for indoor air quality.

Materials such as mercury, lead and formaldehyde should absolutely be regulated, but in 2017 we don’t think this is anything worth bragging about. These are materials that any manufacturer with a conscience would ensure that it doesn’t make it into someone’s bedding. This certification in no way means that the product is natural. At the end of the day, we are still talking about a petrochemical based product.

Not everyone can afford a natural latex mattress, and we understand that at times compromises have to be made. If you do choose to sleep on a mattress with polyurethane foams, we certainly think you want to choose foams that are CertiPUR-US® certified. We just think it is important to realize that this certification is not a substitute for natural products like organic latex, wool, cotton or hemp. While foams that are manufactured to this standard are certainly better than many of the low-quality foams that are not, this in no way makes them as good for your health as a mattress that is made with natural materials and has no chemical fire retardants or glues.

To see our line of products, all made without chemical fire retardants please click here. 

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