EN 1728:2012-Furniture Seating Test methods for the determination of strength and durability Sep 13, 2025
EN 1728:2012-Furniture Seating Test methods for the Determination of Strength and Durability

This European Standard specifies test methods for the determination of strength and durability of the structure of all types of seating without regard to use, materials, design/construction or manufacturing process.

This European Standard does not apply to children’s highchairs, table mounted chairs and bath seats which are covered by other European Standards.

Structure

Load bearing parts of furniture such as the frame, seat, back and arm supports and suspension

Leg Rest
Wxtension of the seat area intended to support the legs of the user
Note 1 to entry: A leg rest might or might not be permanently attached to the structure of the item of seating.

Foot Rest
Part intended to support the feet of the user and which assists the user getting on or off an item of seating
Note 1 to entry: A foot rest might or might not be permanently attached to the structure of the item of seating.

Work Chair
Chair, with or without arm rests, for use by one adult in the office or home office (for example working with a computer), whose upper part, which includes the seat and back, is supported on a single column and can rotate in the horizontal plane and is at least adjustable in height

Back Rest
Element that supports the back of the user higher than 100 mm above the seat loading point.

Arm Rest Length
Distance between vertical lines through the front and rear edges of the arm rest

Test Items and Requirements

EN 1728:2012 encompasses three major categories of testing: static strength, dynamic durability, and stability. Specific tests include:
Static Load Test: Simulates vertical pressure, backrest pressure, and lateral armrest pressure under normal user sitting posture. For example, the seat surface must withstand 600N (approximately 61kg) vertical force 10 times without structural damage;

Impact Test: Simulates sudden sitting or object impact via free-falling weights. The seat must withstand a 25kg weight dropped from a height of 25mm.

Durability Test: Simulates long-term use through cyclic loading. For example, the seat must complete 100,000 load cycles.

Stability Test: Assesses the seat's resistance to tipping. For instance, the front legs must not tip when subjected to a 10Nm torque.

Relevant Equipment

GESTER has a variety of furniture testing equipment that complies with EN 1728:2012.
Example: Chair Assembly Testing Machine is according for the standard EN 1728:2012 and combination with different methods:

  • Seat static load and back static load test
  • Seat and back durability test
  • Seat front edge static load test
  • Seat front edge durability test
  • Seat impact test
  • Back rests vertical load test
  • Back rests horizontal forward static load test
  • Headrest static load test
  • Foot rest static load test or durability test
  • Back impact test
  • Leg rest static load test
  • Leg forward or sideways static load test
  • Arm rest sideways static load test
  • Arm rest downwards static load test
  • Arm rest durability test
  • Arm rest impact test
  • Auxiliary writing surfaces static load test and durability test
  • Arm rests vertical upwards static load test

This machine also complies with other international standards:
EN 1728-2012 Section 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16, 6.17, 6.18, 6.20, 6.21, 6.22, 6.24, 6.25, 6.26, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.12
EN 581-2-2015 (correspond EN1728-2012),
EN 16139-2013 (correspond EN1728-2012),
EN 1335-3 -2009 Section 7.2, 7.3.1, 7.3.2, 7.3.4,
EN 1729-2-2012 Section 5.3
ISO 7173-1989 Section 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 7.11, 7.12
GB/T 10357.3 -2013 Section 4.3, 4.4, 4.5,4.6, 4.7, 4.8,4.9, 4.10,4.11, 4.12, 4.13 , 4.14
BS 5459-2-2000 Section A5.1, A5.2, A5.3, A5.5, A7.2, 7.3, A7.4, A7.7, A7.9

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