EN 12520:2024/FprA1
(Amendment)Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements for domestic seating
General Information
- Abstract
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.
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Jan-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 207 - Furniture
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 207/WG 1 - Domestic furniture
- Current Stage
- 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
- Start Date
- 16-Jul-2026
- Due Date
- 26-Dec-2026
- Completion Date
- 16-Jul-2026
Overview
EN 12520:2024/FprA1 is a European standard developed by CEN that sets out minimum requirements for the safety, strength, and durability of domestic seating for adults. The scope of this standard covers all types of indoor seating used in private households, ensuring essential safety and performance benchmarks are met to protect users. This standard outlines specific test methods for key hazards such as finger entrapment, and enhances clarity on durability through seat side-to-side testing. It is particularly relevant for furniture manufacturers, suppliers, and compliance professionals aiming to demonstrate product conformity within the European market.
EN 12520:2024/FprA1 does not apply to products like ranked seating, office chairs, educational furniture, outdoor seating, or linked seating which are governed by other European Standards. Additionally, it excludes specific aspects such as upholstery, mechanisms, resistance to aging, and electrical safety.
Key Topics
- Safety Requirements: Details on ensuring that domestic chairs do not present injury risks such as finger entrapment or shear and compression points.
- Strength and Durability: Specifies minimum strength and durability criteria based on everyday use by adults up to 110 kg, addressing concerns like side-to-side stability and robust construction.
- Test Methods: Describes standardized testing for hazards associated with finger entrapment (as updated in Annex C), as well as durability tests included in related annexes.
- Definitions: Provides precise terms for concepts such as “shear point” and “compression point” to ensure consistent understanding and testing.
- Scope Limitations: Outlines what types of seating and product features (e.g., upholstery, castors, mechanisms) are outside the remit of this standard.
Applications
EN 12520:2024/FprA1 is essential for:
- Furniture manufacturers seeking to ensure their domestic seating meets European safety and durability standards.
- Product designers and engineers looking to incorporate safety by design, avoid finger entrapment, and strengthen structural elements.
- Quality assurance teams establishing protocols for compliance testing and documentation.
- Furniture importers and distributors who need to verify their products meet EU market requirements, thus reducing liability and recalls.
- Certification and regulatory bodies referencing the standard to assess product safety in the domestic environment.
By complying with this standard, market participants streamline access to the European market, support consumer safety, and reduce claims associated with product failures or injuries.
Related Standards
For comprehensive compliance or complementary requirements, consider referencing these relevant standards:
- EN 1728 – Methods for the determination of strength and durability of seating.
- EN 1022 – Stability of seating.
- EN 16139 – Strength, durability, and safety for non-domestic seating.
- EN 1335 – Office work chairs safety and dimensions.
- EN 581 – Outdoor furniture safety and durability requirements.
Together, these standards support a holistic approach to furniture safety, covering non-domestic environments, specialized seating, and additional product features not included in EN 12520:2024/FprA1.
Keywords: EN 12520, domestic seating, furniture safety, strength, durability, CEN standard, seat testing, finger entrapment, shear point, compression point, furniture compliance, European furniture standards.
Relations
- Amends
EN 12520:2024 - Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements for domestic seating - Effective Date
- 26-Mar-2025
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12520:2024/FprA1 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Furniture - Safety, strength and durability - Requirements for domestic seating". This standard covers: 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.
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.
EN 12520:2024/FprA1 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 97.140 - Furniture. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12520:2024/FprA1 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12520:2024. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12520:2024/FprA1 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-februar-2026
Pohištvo - Varnost, trdnost in trajnost - Zahteve za sedežno pohištvo za domačo
uporabo - Dopolnilo A1
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/prA1
ICS:
97.140 Pohištvo Furniture
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 12520:2024
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA1
January 2026
ICS 97.140
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 draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 207.
This draft amendment A1, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 12520:2024. If this draft becomes an amendment,
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of
this amendment into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN 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.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 12520:2024/prA1:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 12520:2024/prA1:2026 (E)
Contents
European foreword . 3
1 Modification to Clause1, Scope. 4
2 Modification to Clause 3, Terms and definitions . 4
3 Modification to 5.1.2, Holes in tubular or rigid components . 4
4 Modification to 5.1.3.2, Shear and compression points when setting up and folding. 4
5 Modification to 5.1.3.3, Shear and compression points under influence of non-
electrically powered mechanisms . 4
6 Modification to 5.1.3.4, Shear and compression points during use . 4
7 Modification to A.2.1 General . 5
8 Modification to Annex C, Test methods for finger entrapment and shear and
compression .
...