Comparison of office chair stability test standards

The stability test standards for office chairs vary in different countries and regions. The following is a comparison of several common office chair stability test standards:

1. US BIFMA X5.1 standard
Scope of application: All chairs
Test items: Safety-Stability test of chairs (backward direction)
Test procedure:

Fix the chair to the ground.

Adjust the adjustable part of the chair to the most unstable state.

Tie a weight of 78kg to the seat cushion and the back of the chair.

Press the back of the chair and pull it straight back with all the weight on the back of the chair.

Measure the required tension. Assessment: If the tension required for chairs in categories 1 and 2A is less than 9kg, and the tension required for chairs in category 2B is less than 16kg, it meets quality requirement 1.

2. European EN 1335 standard
Scope of application: All office chairs
Test items: Stability test of office chairs
Test procedure:

The tester will apply vertical and horizontal forces to simulate the situation when an employee uses an office chair.

Ensure that the office chair has sufficient stability and is not easy to tip over or break. Assessment: Office chairs that pass the test are considered to have good stability and anti-tilting performance2.
3. China GB/T 38611-2020 standard
Scope of application: Office work chairs for adults
Test items: Stability test
Test procedure:
The test method is developed for products that are fully assembled and ready for use.
The dimensions in the test method are only applicable to office work chairs for adults.
The test method includes forces acting on different components, simulating various usage conditions of office work chairs during normal use and foreseeable misuse. Assessment: The test results are only valid for the tested samples. When the test results need to be used for other similar products, it is very important that the test samples can represent a certain production model3.
4. Export to Spain EN 12520 standard
Scope of application: All chairs
Test items: Safety-Stability test of chairs (backward direction)
Test procedure:
Fix the chair to the ground.
Tie a weight of 78kg to the seat cushion and the backrest.
Put force on the backrest and pull it straight back with all the weight on the backrest.
Measure the required pulling force. Assessment: If the pulling force required for chairs in categories 1 and 2A is less than 9kg and the pulling force required for chairs in category 2B is less than 16kg, the quality requirement is met4.
5. European EN 1335-2:2018 Standard
Scope of application: All office chairs
Test items: Stability test of office chairs
Test procedures:

Propose general design requirements for office chairs to minimize the risk of injury to users.
Define and standardize the dimensions of finished stools.
Propose requirements for the safety performance indicators of finished office chairs. Assessment: Office chairs that pass the test are considered to meet the safety requirements of the European market5.