All About Tuft & Needle's Mattress and Bedding Certifications

Tuft & Needle cares, and there’s evidence to back that up. Each mattress we craft is GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US® certified. Our bedding is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, and our organic bedding is GOTS certified, because you deserve to rest on the best each night. But what do those certifications actually mean, and how do they impact you and the environment? At Tuft & Needle, we’re committed to protecting you and the earth from harmful chemicals, and we think it’s important to explain why. If you’re tossing and turning over our certifications, read on to learn how our products are certified against toxic elements, so you can rest easy every night.

What is CertiPUR-US?

CertiPUR-US® is a certification program, administered by a non-profit organization, that tests the presence of harmful materials in foam. It ensures the products tested are made without:

• Ozone depleters – are chemicals that destroy the earth’s ozone molecules. Earth’s ozone layer decreases the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the earth’s surface. Without it, the risk of overexposure to cancer-causing ultraviolet light increases. Thus, it’s essential to create products free of ozone depleters, to protect ourselves and our environment.

• PBDEs – are flame-retardant chemicals added to products, like mattresses, to reduce the chance of fire if exposed to high heat. Though beneficial in theory, PBDEs can seep from a product and migrate into the air, dust, and eventually the environment. This leads to an accumulation of PBDEs in wildlife, dairy products, and our own bodies. PBDEs, once in our bodies, can negatively impact brain development in children and thyroid and hormone levels in adults.

• TCEP, TDBPP, TDCPP, or TEPA – similar to PBDEs, are Tris Flame retardant substances found in foams. These chemicals can also contaminate the air and dust surrounding the product it was used in. If accumulated in the body, Tris Flame retardant substances can negatively impact the body’s central nervous system, hormone levels, and even cause cancer.

• Mercury, lead, and other heavy metals – though naturally occurring elements, can be harmful in high amounts. Increased exposure to mercury, lead, and other heavy metals can negatively affect one’s lungs, kidneys, skin, eyes, and nervous, digestive, and immune systems.

• Formaldehyde – is a highly toxic flammable gas at room temperature. Exposure to formaldehyde can irritate the skin, throat, lungs, and eyes, while repeated exposure can lead to cancer.

• Phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission – also called plasticizers, are chemicals that make plastic more durable. Over-exposure to phthalates also causes reproductive issues in tested animals.

In addition to the absence of these harmful chemicals, products that are CertiPUR-US® certified also must maintain Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality. Volatile Organic Compounds are gases released into the air from certain products. VOCs are generally released in the process of off-gassing, when mattresses are released from their packaging and allowed to fully expand. High levels of VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, circulatory, and central nervous systems, and possibly cause cancer. Thus, the CertiPUR-US® certification ensures all products tested emit low VOC levels.

What is GREENGUARD Gold?

GREENGUARD Gold is a rigorous certification awarded only to products that have undergone stringent emissions testing. In addition to, “limiting emissions of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical emissions,” in materials tested, GREENGUARD Gold Certified products, “must also comply with requirements of the state of California’s Department of Public Health (CDPH) ‘“Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers, Version 1.2 (2017)”.’ The results of GREENGUARD Gold testing are non-toxic products certified against harmful contaminants and possible indoor air pollution.

What is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100?

Products certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 undergo rigorous testing to ensure every fiber, thread, and accessory on a product has been tested for harmful substances. OEKO-TEX® tests for regulated and non-regulated substances which may be harmful to human health. Once evaluated, passing products are deemed OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified and thus safe to human health.

What is GOTS?

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a company founded by four organizations—two textile organizations and two organizations rooted in organic food and agriculture—all on the premise of processing and promoting quality organic goods. To become GOTS certified, GOTS representatives perform comprehensive on-site inspections of a company’s entire textile supply chain to ensure products are made organically, ethically, and chemical-free. Once tested, all GOTS certified products are deemed 100% organic.

Rest East with Tuft & Needle’s Certifications

At Tuft & Needle, we care about the environment, but most importantly, we care about you. We believe quality materials promote quality sleep, and whether you’re choosing a mattress or bedding for yourself or your loved ones, we’re committed to ensuring our products are safe and clean. No matter which models you purchase with us, our mattresses are all CertiPUR-US® and GREENGUARD Gold certified, our bedding is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, and our organic bedding is certified organic by GOTS. Our products are certifiably crafted without harmful chemicals, so you can rest easy knowing the only element you’ll gain from your mattress is a great night’s sleep.