Mattresses must comply with two federal mattress flammability standards: 16 CFR Part 1632 (Standard for the Flammability (Smoldering) of Mattresses and Mattress Pads) and 16 CFR Part 1633 (Open Flame Standard for Mattress Sets).
Mattress sets, as defined in 16 CFR §1633.2(c), must comply with 16 CFR Part 1633 (Open Flame Standard for Mattress Sets). Please note, if your mattress set includes both a mattress and a foundation, the mattress will need to comply with both 16 CFR Parts 1632 and 1633 requirements, and the foundation need only comply with 16 CFR Part 1633 requirements.
Mattress pads must comply only with 16 CFR Part 1632 (Standard for the Flammability (Smoldering) of Mattresses and Mattress Pads).
If your product is a general-use product (not designed or intended primarily for children 12 or under), you will need to prepare a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC), and in Section 2 of the GCC you should reference the applicable citations for the product being certified. The citations for mattresses are: 16 CFR Part 1632 and 16 CFR Part 1633. The citation for mattress sets is: 16 CFR Part 1633. The citation for mattress pads is: 16 CFR Part 1632.
If your product is a crib mattress, or mattress designed or intended primarily for children age 12 or under, you will need to prepare a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC), and in Section 2 of the CPC you should reference 16 CFR Part 1632 and 16 CFR Part 1633.
- Regulation 1632
- Laboratory Test Manual for 16 CFR Part 1632: Standard for the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads, updated December 2014 (pdf)
- Regulatory Summary for Mattresses (pdf)
- Interim Enforcement Policy- May 15, 2006 (pdf)
- Interim Enforcement Policy- November 1, 2018 (pdf)
- Updated Interim Enforcement Policy - December 21, 2018 (pdf)
- 2020 Interim Enforcement Policy - March 10, 2020 (pdf)
- Presentation: CPSC and the Mattress Industry - The Latest from the CPSC
- Ballot Vote: Notice of Availability - Regulatory Flexibility Act Section 610 Review of the Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets, November 9, 2016 (pdf)
- Regulation 1633 (pdf)
- Final Rule; Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets; Correction, February 6, 2008 [Text][PDF]
- Interim Enforcement Policy (pdf)
- Laboratory Test Manual for 16 CFR Part 1633: Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets, January 2011 (pdf)
- List of Testing Laboratories (Mattress Open-Flame Testing), August 2009 (pdf)
- Office of Compliance and Field Operations’ Enforcement Guidance Concerning CPSC Mattress Set Rule for Mattress Sets that are Medical Devices Regulated by the Food and Drug Administration
- Presentation on Retailer Responsibilities and the Standard for the Flammability (Open-Flame) of Mattress Sets; July 17, 2007, Bethesda, MD (pdf)
- CPSC’s free publication, "Sleep Safer: A Fire Resistant Mattress Can Save Your Life" (CPSC-560), offers consumers lifesaving information on the new federal flammability standard for mattresses and fire safety tips. It is available in English and/or Spanish. Businesses can place their orders for this publication (minimum order 25) by contacting CPSC's Hotline at info@cpsc.gov or (800) 638-2772.
- Presentation given to International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) on Mattress Standards, February 22, 2007, Chicago, IL (pdf)
- Presentation given to International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) on Mattress Set Flammability, February 28, 2006, San Antonio, TX (pdf)
- Presentations given at CPSC Staff Seminars on Mattress Standard held March 28, 2007, CPSC Headquarters, Bethesda, MD and April 12, 2007, San Diego, CA
- Test and Recordkeeping Forms
- Questions and Answers: Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) of Mattress Sets (pdf)
- Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) (pdf)
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR)
- FFA (pdf)
Mattress sets that are medical devices regulated as such by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) do not need to comply with the flammability requirements of 16 CFR part 1633. This is a very narrow exemption that applies only if the mattress set is a medical device. Simply making medical claims for a mattress set does not take it out of the scope of 16 CFR part 1633. FDA advises that the sale of FDA regulated beds and mattresses are restricted to licensed health care professionals and medical institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes. A patient needs a prescription from a licensed health care professional to purchase or lease a bed or mattress. These mattresses cannot be sold to the public through department stores, chain or specialty bedding stores without a prescription. In addition, mattress manufacturers would need to fully comply with all applicable FDA medical device regulations, prior to selling any mattresses intended for medical purposes.