Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Laboratory topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lab restores accreditation, contracts to replace mattress testing equipment; prepares to resume 16 CFR 1633 testing
Summary
Lab manager said the bureau secured a contract to replace broken mattress burn testers, consolidated accreditation under A2LA (#7603.01), rehired two analyst positions from prior textile technician roles, and resumed sampling of online-retailer products. The lab expects testing volumes to rise as equipment and training are completed.
The Bureau of Household Goods and Services laboratory reported progress on staffing, accreditation, and equipment replacement on Oct. 16, saying the lab has contracted with DTAC Inc. to replace mattress burn-testing equipment and consolidated its accreditation under the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.
"The equipment's been broken since 2024," Jacob Baker, laboratory manager, said, describing a multistep procurement and contract process to replace burners used for federal 16 CFR 1633 mattress flammability testing. Baker said the new equipment will require staff training and a virtual accreditation assessment, and he projects the lab will be operational for mattress testing by the end of the year or early 2026.
The lab also reclassified two textile technician positions to laboratory analyst roles and filled both positions (one internal promotion and one external hire). Baker noted the analyst role provides additional analytical support for scientists and helps prepare lab reports.
Lab testing numbers in the packet showed a 29 percent overall failure rate across furniture, bedding and insulation samples during the last two years; bedding finish-size testing had a historically high failure rate (63 percent by the lab's accounting), while label reviews found a majority of label samples had defects: 115 law labels reviewed, with only 24 fully compliant and 16 major violations that triggered enforcement action.
Baker said the lab has begun sampling online retailers and expects testing volumes to increase once new equipment is installed and accreditation steps are completed. The lab also consolidated two accreditation contracts into a single A2LA accreditation (number 7603.01) to streamline recurring assessments.
Staff and council members discussed public safety context for mattress flammability; Baker said modern standards aim to provide escape time rather than prevent all combustion and that the bureau has observed a rise in mattress failures prior to the fiberglass ban going into effect in 2027.
The bureau said it will report further updates as replacement equipment arrives and the accreditation assessment is scheduled.
