Mattress covers that are certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® are tested according to ASP:02- 12 Mattress Cover Certification Standard.
The certification process uses an algorithm of proprietary and recognized scientific techniques to assess mattress covers for likely exposure to allergenic and irritant materials, both at the time of purchase and thereafter when in use. Product samples that pass certification testing are granted a certificate stating that the particular Mattress Cover meets the requirements for the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® ASP:02-12 Certification Standard.
Allergy Standards Limited subjects the mattress covers to both physical and chemical testing to ensure that the mattress cover does not have properties that are likely to irritate both asthma and allergy symptoms in susceptible people:
- The mattress cover must provide an effective barrier to the passage of allergen.
- Allergen accumulating on the outer surface of the mattress cover must be removable by washing in a domestic washing machine.
- The rate of house dust mite allergen accumulation in a mattress cover under defined conditions must be determined.
- The mattress cover must have the ability to withstand washing in a domestic washing machine at the indicated frequency.
- The fabric of the mattress cover must allow adequate water vapor transmission to ensure user comfort.
- The mattress cover must not contain chemicals above Certification levels known to trigger allergenic or irritant responses when present.
All certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Mattress Covers carry a unique certification code.
