NATIONAL STANDARDS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 
GB XXXXX—XXXX 
  
 
 
Upholstered furniture - Limits for volatile organic compounds, 
decomposable aromatic amine and flame retardants in mattresses 
 
 
Click here to add marks that indicate the leve l of consistency with international standards 
 
(draft standard for approval) 
7 November 2011 
   
I s s u e d :          E n t e r s  i n t o  e f f e c t :   Issued by  
General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic 
of China 
Standardisation Administration of the People's Republic of China 
 
  Contents 
 
 INTRODUCTION  II 
 
1. Scope    
2 Normative reference documents   
 3. Terms and definitions   
 
4  Requirements    
5  Testing method   
 6  Testing rules   
 
 Annex A (normative annex) List of the types and names of banned deco mposable aromatic  
 
amine dyes and flame retardants     
 
Annex B (normative annex) - Testing fo rmaldehyde release in mattresses    
 
 
Annex C (normative annex) - Te sting TVOC in mattresses   
 
 
Annex D (normative annex) - Olfactory evalua tion method for odours in mattresses   
 
 
 
 
           
Preface 
 
Part 4 of this standard is compulsory, the remain ing parts are recommendations only.  This standard 
is drafted in accordance with GB/T 1.1 - -2009. 
Please note that some contents of this standard may be protected by patents. The issuing body of 
this standard is not responsible for identifying these patents. 
This standard is proposed by the China Light Indu stry Council. The drafting of this standard is 
managed by the National Standardisation Te chnical Committee for Furniture (SAC/TC 480). 
Organisations responsible for the drafting of this st andard: Shanghai Institute of Quality Inspection 
and Technical Research, Chengdu Institute of Product Quality; National Centre for Quality 
Supervision & Inspection of Furniture and Ind oor Equipment (Chengdu); Zhejiang Furniture and 
Hardware Research Institute; Shenzhen Academ y of Metrology & Qualit y Inspection, Chengdu 
Shuanghu furniture Ltd; Dongguan DeRucci Interi or Products Ltd; Hunan Stardom furniture 
development Ltd; Chengdu Quanyou furniture Ltd; Shenzhen Yuanfangyuan Industry Development Ltd.  
The organisations that contributed to the drafting of this standard are as follows: Xilinmen Furniture 
Development Ltd, Hebei Lianle Beds Ltd, Guiz hou Natural Technology Ltd, Ningbo Mengshen 
Mattress Co Ltd, Hefei Vanbo Mattresses Ltd, Ji nbang Qilin Bedroom Furniture Ltd, Yantai Jisi 
Furniture LTd, Shanghai Slumberland Soft Furnishi ng Ltd, Jinyadian Bedroom Furniture (Shenzhen) 
Ltd, Shanghai Dreamland Mattress Co Ltd, Geob y Children's Products Ltd, Shenyang Mengbao 
Furniture Ltd, Shanghai Aishu Mattress Co Ltd, Kunshan Innovative Testing Instruments Co Ltd.  
The main drafters of this standard are: Li Longping,  Xiang Xu, Zhang Xiaojie, Luo Jufen, Luo Xin, Zhang 
Shuyan, Liang Mijia, Yin Xianjian, Xu Jianmin, Zhao Liping, Zhong Ming, Zhang Zheng,  Yu Ting, Zhou 
Dewen, Wang Zhangyao, Wang Yong, Chu Ruhua, Zhang Youquan, Wang Shiben, Song Chuanjiang, 
Zhu Guang, Pan Yuzhe, Xia Yongbao, Liu Jie, Yang Chunmei, Tao Zecheng, Zhuang Riguang, Zhang Fuji, 
Zhang Yanhui. 
     
Upholstered furniture - Limits for vola tile organic compounds, decomposable 
aromatic amine and flame retardants in mattresses 
1. Scope 
This standard sets out terms, definitions, requirements, testing methods and testing rules with 
regard to limits of volatile organic compounds, de composable aromatic amine and flame retardants 
in mattresses for indoor use. 
This standard applies to all mattress products for indoor use with the exception of water-bed 
mattresses and inflatable mattresses made of PVC or PVC leather etc. 
 2 Normative reference documents The reference documents listed below are essential to the application of this standard: If the 
reference document is listed with its date of issu e, only that version applies to this standard. 
If the reference document is listed without a date  of issue, the latest version (including all 
amendments) applies to this standard. 
GB/T 18204.26-2000 Methods for determining formal dehyde levels in air of public places  
GB/T 18401 National general safety te chnical code for textile products 
GB/T 18883-2002 Indoor air quality standard GB/T 18885- 2009 Technical specificat ions of ecological textiles 
GB/T 19942 Chemical tests for leather and fur - Determination of banned azo colourants  
 3. Terms and definitions The terms and definitions listed below a nd those used in GB/T 18883-2002 and GB/T 18885-2009 
apply to this standard. 
3.1  Mattress 
Soft bedding item comprising a core made from spri ngy (or other) materials with a textile (or other) 
cover. 
3.2 unpleasant odour  an odour emitted by a mattress that makes people uncomfortable. 3.3 peculiar odour  As indicated in Annex D.7.1 of this standard. 
4  Requirements Limits for volatile organic compounds, decompos able aromatic amine and flame retardants in 
mattresses should conform to requirements in Table 1.   
Table 1 Requirements relating to limits for volatile or ganic compounds, decomposable aromatic amine and flame 
retardants in mattresses 
Substance tested  Name of harmful substance  Limit  Remarks  
decomposable aromatic 
amine dyes *a                   banned *b  no direct contact with skin  harmful 
substances in mattress 
material  banned flame retardant *a  banned *b   
Formaldehyde emission  ≤0.10mg/m3  
TVOC (total volatile organic 
compound) ≤0.60 mg/m3  
unpleasant odour  ≤3 level  harmful volatile substances 
in mattress  
  
 
 
peculiar odour  none   
*a See Annex A for the types and names of banned  decomposable aromatic amine dyes and flame retardants.  
*b Tests for decomposable aromatic amine dyes used in fabric should be carried out in accordance with GB 18401; tests for 
decomposable aromatic amine dyes used in leather and fu r should be carried out in accordance with GB/T 19942. 
  
 
5  Testing method 5.1 When testing for banned decomposable aromatic amine dyes, samples are taken directly 
from the mattress fabric; mattress fabric is tested  according to GB 18401; leather and other related 
products are tested acco rding to GB/T 19942.   
5.2 Samples of banned flame retardants should be taken directly from mattress fabric and tested 
according to GB/T 18885-2009.  
5.3 Tests for formaldehyde emission are carried out according to directions in Annex B.  
5.4 Tests for TVOC are carried out acco rding to directions in Annex C.  
5.5 Tests for unpleasant and peculiar odours are carried out according to directions in Annex D.   
 6  Testing rules 6.1 Testing sequence –  tests for volatile organic compounds should be carried out first, followed by the other tests. 
6.2 Batching, sampling principles and sample size   
6.2.1 Batching   Generally, a product of the same batch means the same kind of product, made by the same 
manufacture at the same time; or products made from  the same batch of material (this usually refers 
to surface covering and filling material).  
6.2.2 Sampling principles  If samples are taken from a manufacturer, they must be taken from finished products in the 
warehouse from the same batch on a random basis. A sufficient quantity of samples must be taken 
to provide a test sample and a backup sample; if samples are taken from a distributor, they must be 
taken from products on the shop floor or in stor age from the same batch on a random basis. Backup 
samples do not have to be taken, if there are no t enough products left after the test samples are 
taken. 
6.2.3 Sample size Two samples are taken - one test sample and one backup sample.  6.3 Determining test results  If a product passes all the tests of the standard, it  is determined to be compliant, if not, it is 
determined to be non-compliant.  
6.4 Rules for re-testing  Volatile organic compounds should not be re-tested.  If there is any doubt as to the test results, a re-
test may be applied for. A re-test can be done using original sample. If the original sample is no 
longer suitable for testing, the sealed backup sample should be used. The re-test result should be 
determined according to part 6.3. The results should be marked 'compliant (following re-test)' or 
'non-compliant (following re-test)'.       
Annex A  
(normative annex) 
Types and names of banned decomposable aromatic amine dyes and flame retardants in 
mattresses 
 
A.1 Outline  
 
This Annex sets out the types and names of banned decomposable aromatic amine dyes and 
flame retardants in this standard.  
 
A.2 See Table A.1 for banned deco mposable aromatic amine dyes 
 
                                                            Table A.1  decomposable aromatic amine dyes  
    
Item Name (Chinese)  Name (English)  CAS Number 
    
1 4-氨基联苯  4-Aminobiphenyl  92-67-1  
    
2 联苯胺  Benzidine  92-87-5  
    
3 4-氯-邻甲基苯胺  4-Chloro-o-toluidine  95-69-2  
    
4 2-萘胺 2-Naphthylamine  91-59-8  
    
5 邻氨基偶氮甲苯  o-Aminoazotoluene  97-56-3  
    
6 2-氨基 -4 硝基甲苯  2-Amino-4-nitrotoluene  99-55-8  
    
7 对氯苯胺  p-Chloroaniline  106-47-8  
    
8 2，4-二氨基苯甲醚  2，4-Diaminoanisole  615-05-4  
    
9 4，4'-二氨基二苯甲烷  4'-Diaminodiphenylmethane  101-77-9  
    
10 3，3'-二氯联苯胺  3，3'-Dichlorobenzidine  91-94-1  
    
11 3，3'-二甲氧基联苯胺  3，3'-Dimethoxybenzidine  119-90-4  
    
12 3，3'-二甲基联苯胺  3，3'-Dimethylbenzidine  119-93-7  
    
13 3，3'-二甲基 -4，4'-二氨基二苯甲烷  3，3'-Dimethyl-4 ，4'-diaminobiphenylmethane  838-88-0  
    
14 2-甲氧基 -5 甲基苯胺  2-Methoxy-5-methylaniline  120-71-8  
    
15 4，4'-亚甲基 -二-(2-氯苯胺 ) 4，4'-Methylene-bis-(2-chloroaniline)  101-14-4  
    
16 4，4'-二氨基二苯醚  4，4'-Oxydianiline  101-80-4  
    
17 4，4'-二氨基二苯硫醚  4，4'-Thiodianiline  139-65-1  
    
18 邻甲苯胺  o-Toluidine  95-53-4  
    
19 2，4-二氨基甲苯  2，4-Toluylendiamine  95-80-7  
    
20 2，4，5-三甲基苯胺  2，4，5-Trimethylaniline  137-17-7  
    
21 邻甲氧基苯胺  o-Anisidine  90-04-0  
    
22 2，4-二甲基苯胺  2，4-Xylidine  95-68-1  
    
23 2，6 二甲基苯胺  2，6-Xylidine  87-62-7  
    
24 4-氨基偶氮苯  4-Aminoazobenzene  60-09-3  
    
  
A.3 See Table A.2 for banned flame retardants  
 
Table A.2 banned flame retardants  
 
Item  Name (Chinese) Name (English) Dye index No  CAS 
Number 
 
     
 
1 多溴联苯  Polybrominated biphenyles(PBB)  59536-65-1 
 
     
 
三-（2,3-二溴丙基） -磷  
 
2 Tri-(2,3-dibromo-pro py)-phosphate(TRIS)  126-72-7 
 
 Acid esters    
 
     
 
3 三-（氮环丙基） -膦化氧  Tris-(azir-idinyl)- phos-phinoxide(TEPA)  5455-55-1 
 
     
 
4 五溴二苯醚  Pentabromodiphenylether(pentaBDE)  32534-81-9 
 
     
 
5 八溴联苯醚  Octabromodiphenylether(octaBDE)  32536-52-0 
 
        
Annex B 
(normative annex) 
Testing for formaldehyde emissions in mattresses 
B.1 Principles  The formaldehyde and phenol reagent react to form piperazine.  In  acid solution, piperazine is 
oxidized by ferric ions and forms a turquoise co mpound.  The emission rate is calculated by 
comparing the extent of colour change. 
B.2 Reagents and materials  Must comply with the requirements regarding the spectrophotometric method (with phenol 
reagents)  in standard GB/T 18204.26-2000.  
B.3 Apparatus and equipment  B.3.1 formaldehyde/TVOC collector  The enclosure of the collector should be made fr om material with a zero or low formaldehyde 
absorption rate (such as stainless steel, glass etc. ) Four one-way inlet valves with an inner diameter 
of 10mm are fitted (one on each of the four sides of the enclosure, 50mm from the edge and the bottom). A one-way outlet valve with an inner diameter of 10mm is at the centre of the upper part of 
the enclosure, which is also used as a sampling po rt.  An closable opening with a diameter of 100mm 
is fitted on one side of the outlet valve - this is called the olfactory-test opening and is used for 
conducting the olfactory test. The opening should be along the centre line, and its centre 150mm 
from the edge. The outer layer of the enclosure should be made of a heat-insulating material which does not release harmful volatile substances such as formaldehyde or TVOC, with a heat conduction 
rate of 0.03W/(m K)-0.04/(m K) and a thickness of  10mm. The collector should not weigh more than 
250 kg. 
The inside of the collector is fitted with 4 flat he ating plates which remain at a constant temperature 
and allow even heat distribution (the heat differe nce measured at any two points on the heating 
plate should not be more than 0.5°C) . Th e heating plates are rectangular 5600mm x 230mm x 
50mm, and are fitted on the inside, 1/3 of the wa y up from the bottom of the collector, 100mm from 
the edge. The heating plate should be made from a metal with high heat-conduction properties (such 
as aluminium alloy) , with heat sensors fitted ab ove to measure and contro l the temperature. Heat 
plate wattage should be sufficient to raise the inner temperature of the collector from 23°C to 30°C 
in 20-30 minutes.   
When the collector is in operation,  the heat plates must remain at  a constant temperature of 36°C ± 
1°C, and the inner temperature of the collector must remain at 30°C ± 1°C (the temperature is tested 
at the centre of the collector 50mm away from th e surface of the mattress) The shape, dimensions 
and structure of the collector can be seen in Chart B.1. 
  
        1- collector 2- insulating layer 3- one-way inlet valve  4- heating plate  5- 
heat sensor 6- one-way outlet valve 7- olfactory test opening 8- handle 9- heat 
controller port  
Chart B.1 Formaldehyde/TVOC collector 
B.3.2 Testing shelf A shelf with a height 220mm-250mm;  of a dimension suitable for testing samples (should not be 
smaller than sample) ,  made of pure wood or st ainless steel; parts, joints, and surface must not 
contain glue or paint. See Chart B.2 for structure: 
        
Chart B.2 Testing shelf 
B.3.3 Other apparatus and equipment  Other apparatus and equipment must conform to the requirements of the spectrophotometric 
method (with phenol reagents) in standard GB/T 18204.26-2000. B.4 Conditions in the testing room 
Temperature 23°C ±  5°C, relative humidity 50% ±  5%,  the concentration of formaldehyde in the 
room must be less than 0.04mg/m3, TVOC concentr ation must be less than 0.06mg/m3. The testing 
room should have an area between 10-15m2 and a height of 3m ± 0.5m.   
B.5 Collection and sampling of formaldehyde  The inner surface of the formaldehyde/TVOC collector should be clean prior to testing. Clean the 
inner surface with alkaline cleaner, before wiping with distilled water and drying using heat. The 
collector can also be cleaned using thermal desorption. 
Place the mattress in the testing room on the testing shelf, with the thickest side (or that has the 
most cushioning) facing upwards (it is often the case  that one side has an extra layer of coconut fibre 
cushioning making it thicker).   Close windows a nd doors. Leave the mattress in place for 2 hours. 
Place the collector in the centre of the mattress so that the collector sits flush against the surface of 
the mattress, creating a seal between it and the colle ctor, as in Chart B.3. Turn on the collector, and 
set the heater to 36°C, and the interior temper ature to 30°C. When the air temperature in the 
collector reaches 30°C ± 1°C, start timing and 10 mi nutes later conduct the olfactory test. Wait for 
150 minutes ±  2 minutes after completing the olfact ory test, then collect formaldehyde samples. 
Collect 10-15L of gas using a large bubble absorber containing 5ml of absorbing fluid, released at 
0.25-0.50L/min; record the temperature and air pressure at the sampling point. 
             
Description: 1 - testing shelf   2- ma ttress   3- formaldehyde/TVOC collector 
Chart B.3 diagram of collector 
  
B.6 Formaldehyde determination Follow the analysis procedure in  Article 6 of GB/T 18204.26-2000. 
B.7 Calculating results  Calculations are done according to Article 7 of  GB/T 18204.26-2000. The formaldehyde concentration 
is the result minus the background concentration taken in the room without the sample. 
   Annex C  
(normative annex) 
Testing for TVOC in mattresses 
C.1 Principles Tenax TA or Tenax GC absorption tubes are used to collect air samples of a certain quantity taken a 
given area of the surface of the mattress, resulting in the volatile organic compounds in the air being 
retained in the absorption tube.  After collecting the sample, thermal desorption equipment is used 
to heat the absorption tube, releasing the gas which is then injected into a gas chromatograph.   The 
type is determined using retention time and the quantity is determined using peak area readings. 
C.2 Reagents and materials Must comply with requirements in C.3 of Annex C of AGB/T 18883-2002. 
C.3 Apparatus and equipment  
Collector and testing shelf arranged as in B.3, other apparatus and equipment must comply with 
requirements in C.4 of Annex C of GB/T 18883-2002. 
C.4 Conditions in the testing room See B.4 on conditions in the testing room C.5 Collection of TVOC After collecting the formaldehyde sample, wait for 60 minutes ±  2 minutes, then collect TVOC 
sample.  At a sampling flow rate of 0.25-0.50L/min, collect 5-10L using an Tenax TA absorption tube 
or a designated collection tube for use with a gas chromatograph. 
C.6 TVOC determination  Must comply with requirements in  C.6 of Annex C of GB/T 18883-2002. 
C.7 Calculating results Follow rules in C.7 of Annex C of GB/T 18883-2002. The TVOC sample concentration is the result 
minus the background concentration taken in the room without the sample.  
Annex D 
(normative annex) 
Olfactory evaluation method for odours in mattresses 
D.1 Principles  The mattress is placed in the specified environmen t and the odour emitted is evaluated using human 
olfaction. 
D.2 Odour testers  D.2.1 Human olfaction requirements  Odour testers must be capable of distinguishing two samples with identical packaging, where one 
sample is pure water and the other a solution containing 0.5% alcohol.  The odour is inhaled at a 
distance of 10mm from the sample . Odour testers must be able to  distinguish the smell of high-
boiling point petroleum, fishy smells, and the sme ll of aromatic hydrocarbon, as stated in the 
requirements of GSB 16-2523-2008 on peculiar smells in  samples of fibres an d products made from 
fibres. 
D.2.2 Requirement regarding the number of testers  always an odd number; at least five  D.3 Samples for testing   the entire mattress is taken as sample after removing all outer packaging D.4 Testing device  use a collector and testing shelf as directed in Annex B. D.5 Testing procedure  
D.5.1  Only testers that have satisfie d the requirements in D.2.1 can participate. To ensure that test 
results are accurate, testers must not wear make- up, smoke or consume spic y foods. As testers may 
easily be affected by olfactory fatigue, they must be given sufficient breaks when testing multiple 
items. 
D.5.2  During the test, the mattress and testing device are placed on the testing shelf as shown in B.5 
of Annex B.   When these are in place, heat the collector. When the heat reaches 30°C ±  1°C, this 
heat is maintained for 10 minutes, then  the olfactory test is carried out. 
D.5.3  The time between the first and la st tester for each sample should  not exceed 3 minutes. During 
the test, the nostrils should be next to the olfa ctory test opening, enabling a careful assessment of 
the odour emitted. Results should be recorded.  During the testing process, testers should work 
independently, without discussing test results.  D.6 Determining and grading unpleasant odours  
D.6.1  Grading  
Unpleasant odour are given a grade of 1-5 based on the intensity of the odour (1 being most 
preferable and 5 being the least preferable): 
a) Grade 1 = no odour;  b) Grade 2 = slight odour;  c) Grade 3 = tolerable odour;  d) Grade 4 = unpleasant odour   e) Grade 5 = unbearable odour.  D.6.2 Determination  If all testers reach the same result, that is the de termined result.  If results differ, the sample is 
determined as being compliant only if more than ha lf of the testers graded the sample at 3 or less 
(the final grade assigned to the sample is the lowest passable grade given) . Otherwise the sample is 
determined as non-compliant (the final grade a ssigned to the sample is the highest non-passable 
grade given)  
D.7 Types and determination of peculiar odours  D.7.1 Types  The different types of peculiar odour are: a) stale;   b) high-boiling point petroleum (such as petrol or kerosene);   c) a fishy-smell, smell of unwashed mutton, smell of urine;   d) aromatic hydrocarbon.  D.7.2 Determining  If two-thirds or more of testers do not perceive  a peculiar odour, the sample is determined as 
compliant;   If two-thirds or more of testers perc eive one or more of the above peculiar odours, the 
sample is determined as non-compliant. If two-thir ds or more of testers perceive a peculiar smell, 
but less than two-thirds perceive the same type of peculiar smell, the number of testers should be 
increased to more than 7 and the test re-condu cted until a definitive result is reached. 
 
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