Furniture Quality Inspection

Furniture-quality-inspection

GIS Inspection is a leading third-party quality control agency that provides comprehensive quality inspection services to the furniture industry. We have a team of experienced professionals who specialize in third-party factory audits, quality inspections, supplier management and lab testing services.

Furniture has to meet the specific quality, safety, durability, and packaging requirements and standards when it comes to the end users. A high-quality inspection method ensures your products are checked for against all specifications to ensure that the regulations and requirements are met.

GIS Inspection offers professional, comprehensive quality control services tailored for a wide range of furniture products.

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Furniture Quality Control Inspection

Furniture Inspection is a quality control process that involves checking furniture products at various stages of production—pre-production, during production, and before shipment—to ensure they meet specific quality standards, customer specifications, and safety requirements.

Furniture inspection applies to a wide range of products, including sofas, chairs, tables, beds, garden benches which are made from materials such as wood, metal, plastic, glass, marble, or pine.

To bring furniture to the market, the buyers and exporters must guarantee the furniture is manufactured compliance regulations and standards which are designed to protect consumers from hazards.

Different Types of Furniture Products We Inspect

Furniture is an essential component of any living space, providing functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. At GIS, we provide comprehensive inspection services for a full range of furniture, covering materials such as wooden, bamboo, metal, plastic furniture, and glass.

types-of-furniture

Here are some of the most common types of furniture we inspect:

  • Residential Furniture: chairs, Sofas, armchairs, coffee tables, TV stands, Beds, wardrobes, nightstands, dressers, Dining tables, bar carts, sideboards, bookshelves;
  • Outdoor furniture: garden chairs and tables, patio lounges and umbrellas, outdoor sofas and sectionals, balcony and terrace sets;
  • Office furniture: Desks, chairs, filing cabinets, bookcases, and storage cabinets;
  • Children’s Furniture: Toddler Beds, Bassinets and Cradles, Full-Size Cribs and Non-Full-Size Cribs, Bedside Sleepers, Bunk Beds, Children's Folding Chair.

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By employing an independent inspection and testing partner like GIS Inspection, quality concerns will be identified and controlled at the very source.

The Importance of Furniture Inspection

Furniture inspection is a crucial step in the manufacturing and distribution of furniture products like tables, chairs, and outdoor furniture, which play an essential role in consumers’ everyday lives, designed to ensure that the items meet the required quality standards and safety regulations.

From raw materials to final packaging, every stage of furniture production carries potential risks—structural weaknesses, functional defects, or finish inconsistencies—that can compromise customer satisfaction and brand reputation. An effective inspection program means products are checked for specifications and customer specific requirements.

At GIS Inspection, our furniture inspections:

  • Enable corrective actions for any non-conformities to be implemented before completion of the whole assignment
  • Reduce the risk of product failure
  • Verify quality (materials, manufacturing, finish)
  • Reduce after sale service due to production deviation

Regulations and Standards for Furniture Quality Control

Furniture quality control inspection is vital to ensure that products meet the necessary standards, providing customers with safety furniture. These standards cover a wide range of aspects, including material specifications, structural integrity, surface finish, safety requirements, and performance testing.

Adhering to these standards ensures that furniture products are safe, reliable, and compliant with industry best practices. Effective quality control contributes to enhanced product reliability, strengthened brand reputation, and a more trustworthy presence in the competitive marketplace.

Regulations-and-Standards-for-Furniture-Quality-Control

ISO Standards for Furniture

The ISO standard covers compliance requirements for wooden furniture, upholstered furniture, children’s furniture, and other products.

  • ISO 7170 Furniture – Storage Units – Strength and Durability Test Methods
  • ISO 21015 Furniture – Strength and Durability of Domestic Tables
  • ISO 7171 Furniture – Stability of Storage Units
  • ISO 7173 Furniture — Chairs and stools — Determination of strength and durability
  • ISO 19833 School Furniture – Functional Dimensions and Safety Requirements
  • ISO 7175 Children’s cots and folding cots for domestic use
  • ISO 9098 Bunk beds for domestic use — Safety requirements and tests
  • ISO 9221 Furniture — Children’s high chairs
  • ISO 10131 Foldaway beds — Safety requirements and tests
  • ISO 21015 Office furniture — Office work chairs — Test methods for the determination of stability, strength and durability
  • ISO 21016 Office furniture — Tables and desks — Test methods for the determination of stability, strength and durability

Furniture Compliance Requirements in the US

ASTM International’s standards are designed to improve product quality, enhance safety, facilitate market access and trade, and build consumer confidence in the US.

  • F404 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs
  • F1169 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Full-Size Baby Cribs
  • F1427 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bunk Beds
  • F1561 Standard Performance Requirements for Plastic Chairs for Outdoor Use
  • F1821 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toddler Beds
  • F1838 Standard Performance Requirements for Child's Plastic Chairs for Outdoor Use
  • F1858 Standard Performance Requirements for Multipositional Plastic Chairs with Adjustable Backs or Reclining Mechanisms for Outdoor Use
  • F1988 Standard Performance Requirements for Plastic Chaise Lounges, With or Without Moving Arms, With Adjustable Backs, for Outdoor Use
  • F2057 Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units
  • F2194 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bassinets and Cradles
  • F2388 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Baby Changing Tables for Domestic Use
  • F2598 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Chests
  • F2613 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Children's Chairs and Stools
  • F2813 Standard Specification for Glass Used as a Horizontal Surface in Desks and Tables
  • F406 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards

Furniture Regulations and Standards in the EU

The GPSD applies to all consumer products being sold in the EU to ensure the product is safe and does not pose a risk to consumers. 

The following are referenced standards that relate to different categories of furniture:

  • EN 12520- Furniture - Strength, durability and safety - Requirements for domestic seating
  • EN 12521 – Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for domestic tables
  • EN 1335 Office furniture - Office work chair
  • EN 16139 Furniture - Strength, durability and safety - Requirements for non-domestic seating
  • EN 1022 Furniture - Seating - Determination of stability
  • EN 1728 Furniture - Seating - Test methods for the determination of strength and durability
  • EN 13759 Furniture - Operating mechanisms for seating and sofa-beds - Test methods
  • EN 581-1 – Outdoor furniture – Seating and tables for camping, domestic and contract use – Part 1: General safety requirements
  • EN 716 Furniture – Children’s cots and folding cots for domestic use
  • EN 1129 Furniture – Foldaway beds – Safety requirements and testing
  • EN 16890 Children’s furniture – Mattresses for cots and cribs – Safety requirements and test methods
  • EN 15372 Furniture. Strength, durability and safety. Requirements for non-domestic tables
  • EN 1130 Furniture – Cribs and cradles for domestic use
  • EN 1729 Furniture – Chairs And Tables For Educational Institutions
  • EN 1725 Furniture - Beds - Requirements for safety, strength and durability
  • EN 747 Furniture - Bunk beds and high beds-Safety, strength and durability requirements

Types of Third-party Furniture Quality Control Inspection

 

GIS Inspection’ network of qc provides strong expertise in many different fields, making the General Inspection Service uniquely placed to help manufacturers, importers and brand owners to ensure market compliant products through bespoke quality assurance and control programs.

GIS Inspection supports customers to verify supplier quality before entering mass production with a manufacturing process audit. The audit will identify the potential risks and defects and if necessary, put a corrective action plan in place to ensure they reach compliance with Quality Management System standards. We then control product quality and ongoing quality improvement through our range of furniture inspections.

types-of-third-party-quality-inspection

Audits for the Furniture Industry

Factory Audit: An independent assessment of the manufacturing facility’s capacity, machinery, and workforce to determine if they can meet production demands while maintaining product quality.

Supplier Audit: Checking the company’s legal information, bank information, human resources, export capabilities, and more. The inspectors perform supplier verification audit, evaluating

Pre-Production Inspection(PPI)

The first stage of the furniture inspection process takes place before the actual production begins or the first 10%-30% units produced. During Initial Production Inspection, inspectors work closely with manufacturers to review design specifications, verify material samples, and ensure that the factory has the capabilities to produce the furniture to the desired quality standards.

During Production Inspection (DUPRO)

Inspectors closely monitor the assembly, stitching, and construction of furniture to identify any workmanship defects or deviations from the approved design. Inspectors identify and rectify any defects, irregularities, or deviations from quality standards that may arise during production.

If issues are identified, inspectors collaborate with manufacturers to promptly implement corrective actions, preventing the production of substandard furniture products.

Pre-Shipment Inspection(PSI)

The pre-shipment inspection takes place when the merchandise is completed, packed and ready for shipment. Our inspectors pull a random sample of finished furniture, based on internationally recognized statistical random sampling techniques.

Pre-shipment inspection covers the quality (product appearance, performance, function, color, size specifications, workmanship), quantity, packaging, labeling and shipping mark.

It helps to identify any defects or non-conformities in the batch, allowing for corrections before the products reach the customer, thereby safeguarding the buyer’s reputation and minimizing the risk of costly returns or complaints.

Loading Supervision (LS)

The final but crucial step in the quality control process is properly preparing batches for shipping to destination markets. Loading Supervision (LS) is usually performed at the factory, forwarders warehouse, or port to verify count, confirm load, and seal the container. 

Assessing manufacturing sites before initiating mass production and checking product quality prior to shipment are key parts of the quality control process, and vital to ensure that production is carried out according to the quality standards and expectations of destination markets.

Furniture Pre-shipment Inspection Checklist

The quality and safety of furniture is as critical as its style and function when it comes to the consumer. It involves a comprehensive and detailed check of various aspects of the furniture to identify any defects or issues that need to be resolved before the shipment.

Conducting indoor furniture and outdoor furniture inspections enable you to hold your suppliers accountable and uphold a good brand reputation.

At GIS, we specialize in providing third-party inspection services for chairs, desks, tables, beds, chests, bathroom cabinets, sofas at every stage: from supplier investigation, audit to the quality control, final delivery of shipments during the process and supplier management.

An effective inspection checklist for furniture is essential to ensure that these products meet quality standards and customer expectations. At GIS Inspection, our furniture pre-shipment inspection checklist covers the following criteria:

  1. Quantity Verification
  2. Workmanship Inspection
  3. Product Description Verification
  4. Onsite-Test
  5. Packaging Inspection

Cabinet-inspection

1. Quantity Verification

The first step in pre-shipment inspection is the verification of the quantity. By comparing booking and actual quantities, GIS inspectors check products and shipping cartons to verify that total quantity matches the order confirm the total quantity matches the quantity indicated in the purchase order (PO).

 quantity check

2. Workmanship Inspection

If no specific requirement from applicant, the inspector will visually inspect the exterior and interior parts of the furniture using inspection sampling plan, General Inspection Level II, AQL 1.5. 4.0.

Our inspector will check for the following aspects, including: appearance and aesthetic of the goods, fabric, printing, painting, gaps, screw holes, hardware, glass, plastic, mirror and foam.

workmanship check

Learn more about AQL Sampling: https://www.gis-inspection.com/post/how-to-use-aql-for-quality-control-inspection

3. Product Description, Style and Color Verification

In this section, we verify if the style and construction of the dinnerware product match the approval sample and the client’s technical file.

  1. Verifying if the product matches the same style and materials as the approval sample.
  2. Inspecting if the same materials as the sample have been used which prevents discrepancies in quality, feel, and overall appearance.
  3. Checking if the actual products match the client’s technical file. It ensures that the final product adheres to the specific design, quality, and material requirements set by the client.

4. On-site Test for Furniture

The selected sample will undergo rigorous testing to ensure that it functions properly and meets safety standards.

The-essential-inspection-checklists-for-pre-shipment-inspections

The essential inspection checklists for pre-shipment inspections to manage furniture quality:

  • Carton drop test
  • Carton size and weight measurement
  • Product size and weight measurement
  • Metal detection check
  • Barcode scan check
  • Assembly check
  • Function check
  • Moisture check for wood component
  • Coating adhesive Tape Test
  • Static loading check
  • Stability check
  • Wobbling Test for Free Standing or Assembled product
  • Color fastness check
  • Vertical static loading
  • seat impact test
  • Breaking test for tempered glass
  • Smell check

Check a furniture inspection checklist template: https://www.gis-inspection.com/resource/sample-report

Furniture Quality Control Inspection Report

After performing the quality inspection in the factory, the inspector prepares the draft report on-site and reviews with the factory manager. The final inspection report will be checked in detail by the GIS Inspection hard goods supervisor before being sent to the buyer.

report-sample-furniture-quality-inspection

Furniture inspection reports should be as detailed as possible and include:

Inspection Information clients name, suppliers’ information, product name, inspection date, inspector’s name, factory address, quantity, PO No., inspection type, inspection date.

Inspected articles one photo of the product.

Inspection Standardinspection type, default levels, specify defects and level the defect by critical, major or minor categories.

Inspection Result score the quantity, workmanship. product description, data measurement, onsite check, packaging and shipping mark by ‘conform’, or ‘not conform’.

Remark Points attach any defect pictures with an explanation

Quantity Status include the item types, PO quality, shipment quantities, packed quantities and non-packed quantities, and unfinished quality.

Product Conform-Check the appearance, accessories against approval sample or the document provided by clients.

Data Measurement score each section using conform’, ‘not conform’ or ‘pending’ and include the detailed measurements of each product.

Field Test-According the checklist, perform all the test, including moisture check, stability heck, static loading check and other more. Attach all the test pictures.

Packing Method – attach pictures of the packaging and packing information.

Shipping Mark-attach pictures of the shipping mark.

Check out furniture inspection report sample!

GIS Professional Inspection Services for Furniture

The importers and brands employ reliable third-party quality control Inspection Company to ensure the safety of furniture supply chain.

GIS Inspection conducts comprehensive Initial production, during production, and pre-shipment inspections, following the AQL standards, leaving no room for subpar products to slip through the cracks.

Our furniture Inspection report comes with digital evidence, enabling efficient identification, categorization of defects and recommendations. With GIS Inspection, you can expect timely and detailed inspection reports, allowing you to take prompt action if any issues arise.

GIS Inspection has a strong network of 200+ qualified inspectors located in China, Vietnam, India, and Malaysia catering to diverse clients and industries. Contact us for a chat about furniture inspection now and see how we can support you with monitoring the quality and safety of your products!

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