What Is Table Test?
The table test is a set of static loads on the top and legs, horizontal forces, drop impact, cyclic loading and tip-over stability tests. Methods are in EN 1730; pass levels are defined in EN 12521 for domestic tables and EN 527-2 for office tables.
Purpose of Table Test
The purpose is to verify the table carries load in its declared use, does not tip when pushed sideways, and its joints do not loosen over time.
Which Products Is Table Test Applied To?
- Dining and kitchen tables
- Office and work tables
- Height-adjustable tables
- Coffee tables and side tables
- School and conference tables
In Which Sectors Is Table Test Used?
Standards Related to Table Test
- TS EN 1730 (tables — test methods for strength, durability and stability)
- TS EN 12521 (domestic tables — requirements)
- TS EN 527-1/-2/-3 (office tables — dimensions, mechanical safety, stability)
- TS EN 15372 (non-domestic tables — strength, durability and safety)
Table Test Conditions
- Use class
- Domestic, office or non-domestic
- Loading
- Vertical load, horizontal force and point load on the top
- Stability
- Tip-over check with load applied at the edge of the top
Equipment for Table Test
- Vertical and horizontal loading rigs
- Cyclic loading system
- Drop impact rig
- Stability platform and deflection gauges
Sample Requirements for Table Test
- Fully assembled table
- The mechanism must be in working order on height-adjustable tables
- The declared use class must be provided
- The test is destructive
Duration of Table Test
Static and stability tests are short; cyclic tests determine the duration. Tables with a height-adjustment mechanism require additional time for adjustment cycles.
Table Test Procedure
- 1The table is assembled, conditioned, and initial dimensions are taken.
- 2Vertical load is applied to the top and deflection is measured.
- 3Horizontal forces are applied at the edge of the top.
- 4Stability tests are performed.
- 5Cyclic loading, and adjustment mechanism cycles if present, are applied.
- 6The product is examined after drop impact.
Table Test Acceptance Criteria
The product standard requires no breakage, joint separation, tipping or loss of function; limits may also be defined for deflection and permanent deformation. The method standard defines how the force is applied, not how much. Force levels and cycle counts come from the product standard (such as EN 12520, EN 12521, EN 14749, EN 527) or from the contract; different levels are defined for domestic, office and contract use.
Evaluation of Results
Top deflection and looseness at the leg joint are assessed separately. For height-adjustable tables, the mechanism must still work properly at the end of the test; structural integrity alone is not sufficient.
Table Test Report
- Product identification and use class
- Method and product standards applied
- Load levels, cycle counts and measurements
- Stability results
- Observations and photographs
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- EU 2001/95/EC General Product Safety Directive
- Regulation on the General Safety of Products
- Requirements of product standards such as EN 12520 / EN 1730
Mobilya Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the Table Test test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Furniture testing shows that a product stays safe and functional throughout its expected service life. Tests are run with loading cycles representing real use: sitting, leaning back, opening and closing drawers, loading doors, loading shelves and tipping.
The logic of the field rests on the NUMBER OF CYCLES. Sitting on a chair once shows nothing; repeating it tens of thousands of times reveals structural weaknesses. Furniture tests therefore combine static loading with fatigue cycles and define different levels according to intensity of use: domestic use, commercial use and heavy commercial use mean different cycle counts for the same product.
TIP-OVER SAFETY carries particular weight in this family. Because storage furniture tipping onto a child has caused serious injuries and deaths, product standards define separate tests for it: loading with drawers open, hanging from a door and climbing scenarios are simulated. In the United States this subject has become a legislative heading of its own and has produced a mandatory specification.
The second axis is chemical and concerns indoor air quality. Formaldehyde release from wood-based panels and volatile organic compound emissions from coatings and textile components are measured. For formaldehyde, a restriction regulation applies on the EU side and CARB Phase 2 and TSCA Title VI limits in North America; these limits differ and export requires assessment against the destination market.
The third axis is flammability. In upholstered furniture the filling material and the upholstery fabric are assessed together; real ignition sources such as a cigarette and a match flame are simulated. The United Kingdom has historically applied the strictest national regime on this subject.
Surface durability is the fourth axis: abrasion, scratching, stain resistance, heat and moisture resistance, light fastness. These tests show how well the product will keep its appearance and shape commercial expectations particularly for kitchen and office furniture.
There is NO sector-specific CE regime for consumer furniture; safety is demonstrated under the general product safety framework using EN durability standards. For furniture permanently fixed into a structure, construction products legislation may come into play. This distinction matters in project work: a kitchen cabinet and a built-in system fabricated in place can fall under different regimes.
Method groups in this field
Seating
Seat and back loading cycles, arm strength, drop test, tipping resistance, leg and joint strength.
Tables and work surfaces
Static and cyclic loading, horizontal strength, tipping, surface durability.
Storage furniture
Shelf and door loading, drawer cycles, tip-over safety and climbing scenarios.
Beds and mattresses
Durability cycles, edge strength, loss of thickness after loading.
Emissions
Formaldehyde release (chamber, perforator and gas analysis methods), VOC emission test chamber measurements.
Surface and flammability
Abrasion, scratching, staining, heat and moisture resistance; ignitability in upholstered furniture.
Commonly confused in this field
- A result obtained for domestic use does not support a claim of commercial use; the cycle counts and levels are different.
- Tip-over safety is a separate test; passing the durability cycles does not demonstrate tip-over safety.
- Formaldehyde limits differ by market; EU compliance does not mean CARB/TSCA compliance.
- Flammability in upholstered furniture is valid for the COMBINATION of fabric and filling; a change of fabric requires reassessment.
- A result obtained on one model does not cover the whole range; differences in size, material and joints may require separate assessment.
Which decisions these results support
- Determining the durability class for commercial and domestic use
- Tip-over safety and child safety conformity
- Compliance with formaldehyde and VOC emission limits
- Meeting tender and project specification requirements
- Determining destination market requirements for export
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About Table Test
Is there an additional test for a height-adjustable table?
Yes. The adjustment mechanism is subject to its own cycling test, and electrically operated tables additionally require an electrical safety assessment. Passing the mechanical tests does not cover the electrical components.