Testing program for mattresses

What does the Berlin Cert laboratory testing offer?

Berlin Cert has years of experience with testing mattresses under laboratory conditions and offers uniform tests that benefit manufacturers and consumers.

We are constantly expanding our testing procedures and offer you product tests individually adapted to your needs. We test transparently, confidentially and impartially - for you and your customers. Add value to your product with a meaningful test report and a certificate that means something in the market.

The testing laboratory of Berlin Cert GmbH is your contact: Customized offers and accurate, objective testing of mattresses ensure the quality of your product.

The test program in detail

Our test program covers the main features of a mattress that have a significant influence on sleeping and lying comfort.

1.pressure / pressure distribution
To test the pressure distribution capability of a mattress, we use a dummy that replicates the human torso and legs, and a sacral area model that simulates the bony structures of the ischial tuberosities and femurs. The bone model is covered by a 4 cm thick gel mat that is heated to 35 °C.

A controlled force is used to press the model  onto the test mattress. Between the mattress and the sacral model is a pressure measurement mat with 1600 individual sensors, which records all pressure values. Our test stand is designed for a maximum patient weight of up to 250 kg.

We also offer pressure testing according to SS8760013:2017, a Swedish standard that includes two other pressure models. In addition, we can use individual test dummies to perform pressure measurements in all areas of the mattress and detect local pressure points.

2.endurance test / hardness decrease of the foam
In this measurement, samples are taken from three different locations on the mattress and loaded 80,000 times in an endurance test. The   indentation hardness test is performed and compared before and after the endurance test. Through this measurement, the wear of the mattress can be understood very well.

3.surface properties / shear force
In the shear force test, our focus is on the static friction on the mattress surface.  Every body movement involves resistance by the mattress. In our test setup, a module with variable weights is pulled over the mattress at a speed of 5 mm/s. The tensile forces measured correspond to the static friction on the mattress surface. The tensile forces measured during this process correspond to the shear forces that occur, which are used to quantify the frictional properties. The results are presented in a tensile force-time diagram.

4.moisture and heat transport
To simulate the moisture and heat exchange between human and mattress, a microclimate simulator generates a defined amount of moisture and heat which is applied to the test mattress through a porous membrane. The module is pressed onto the mattress with a defined force, which corresponds to the compression by a moderately heavy human. The values for humidity and temperature between the module and the mattress are recorded for one hour with a measuring sensor. The evaluated temperature and humidity curves provide very precise information about the so-called microclimate between the person and the mattress.

The microclimatic properties of a mattress must be tailored to the respective user group. For example, moisture-repellent mattresses are necessary in the care sector, while breathable mattresses are preferred in an average household.

Do you have questions about one of our tests or do you need technical support for the test procedure? Simply contact us: We will be happy to provide you with further information and, if you wish, prepare a quotation for an individual testing program.