EN 12721:2009/FprA1

Overview

EN 12721:2009/FprA1 (CEN) is a European draft amendment to the furniture standard EN 12721:2009. The standard specifies a laboratory method for assessing the resistance of rigid furniture surfaces to wet heat, and it applies to all rigid furniture surfaces regardless of material. The FprA1 amendment updates editorial and procedural elements (normative referencing and annex structure) and removes the previously referenced direct light source test option.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Covers assessment of resistance to wet heat for all rigid furniture surfaces - independent of substrate or decorative material.
• Test method: Establishes a standardized laboratory procedure to evaluate how furniture surface finishes react when exposed to wet heat conditions (method details are within the published standard).
• Normative references: Amendment clarifies citation rules - dated references apply as cited; undated references use the latest edition (including amendments).
• Document changes introduced by FprA1:
  • Deletion of informative Annex A (removal of direct light source description).
  • Modification to Clause 1, Clause 2 and Clause 10 to reflect the deletion and updated referencing rules.
  • Update to Annex B (informative) to remove references to the direct light source.
• Reporting: The amendment removes the requirement to include test results using the direct light source in Clause 10.

Applications

EN 12721:2009/FprA1 is used to:

• Support quality control and product development by furniture manufacturers evaluating surface durability under wet-heat exposure.
• Provide a consistent test basis for third‑party testing laboratories and certification bodies performing durability assessments.
• Inform specification writers, procurement teams, and designers who require validated performance data for furniture intended for environments where wet heat exposure (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms, catering) is a consideration.
• Serve as evidence for marketing and compliance claims about furniture surface performance within European markets.

Who should use this standard

• Furniture manufacturers and finish formulators
• Independent testing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies
• Product designers, specifiers, and procurement officers
• National standards bodies and regulatory authorities

Related standards

• Other CEN furniture testing standards covering mechanical properties, dry heat, abrasion, scratch and stain resistance (consult national standards lists for exact references).
• Referenced normative documents as listed in EN 12721 (see Clause 2 for the definitive list and the updated reference rules).

Keywords: EN 12721, wet heat resistance, furniture surface testing, CEN standard, EN 12721:2009/FprA1, furniture durability testing, surface resistance to wet heat.