The “Golden M” – the quality mark for quality-tested furniture
More and more consumers place great importance on the quality and compatibility of their furniture. This is why nowadays quality marks of independent associations often play an important role when it comes to purchasing new furniture. By awarding the quality mark “The Golden M”, the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V. (German Quality Assurance Association for Furniture) sets standards with regard to the quality of furniture, safety and health.
What is the “Golden M”?
The quality mark “Golden M” is an accolade for quality-tested furniture that meets strict criteria in terms of quality, safety and health/environmental protection. The “Golden M” is awarded by the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V. (DGM), which – as a RAL quality assurance association – has an important task: to ensure the quality of furniture and to strengthen consumer protection. Furniture manufacturers have to meet very high standards in order to be awarded the quality mark.
The RAL quality mark is based on more than 55 years of research, laboratory testing, practical testing, comparisons and scientific exchange – a sound basis for carefree living so that you can be confident when purchasing new furniture. Therefore, make sure to ask your furniture dealer for furniture with the “Golden M”.
What are the advantages of the “Golden M” for consumers?
For many consumers, the quality mark serves as a reliable guide when purchasing new furniture. Interested parties can be certain that a product carrying this quality mark has been thoroughly examined and tested by an independent testing institute. What is more, the practices of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V. (DGM) are particularly known for their high standards.
The strict testing criteria align with current quality, emission and environmental standards. They mainly revolve around the sustainability, stability and production quality of the products. Furthermore, the products’ pollutant emission and safety are thoroughly examined as well. The quality mark is only awarded to those pieces of furniture that satisfactorily meet all the requirements. Thus, the quality mark provides end costumers with more information on the quality of the offered products and serves as a valuable decision-making aid.
What does the “Golden M” of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel stand for?
The quality mark “Golden M” primarily stands for furniture that fulfils the following criteria:
- Guaranteed safety
- Healthy living
- Certified quality
Who is the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V.?
The Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel (DGM) is an association based in Fürth, Germany. As a RAL quality assurance association, it has the important task to ensure the quality of furniture by means of testing and to strengthen consumer protection. Currently, the association consists of more than 70 furniture manufacturers and 40 supporting members who promote a higher degree of safety for furniture items sold in Germany. The focus is hereby on the quality of furniture, their safety and health compatibility. The supporting members who are primarily active in furniture-specific sectors include not only suppliers and institutes but also assemblers. This is why the quality mark “Golden M” is highly recognised in many fields in Germany.
A piece of furniture must fulfil the following test criteria in order to receive the "Golden M".
The DGM develops the quality and testing regulations (RAL-GZ 430) as a basis, which are regularly updated by experts. These specify exactly which results are good enough for a tested piece of furniture to be awarded the RAL quality mark.
What happens during furniture testing?
The first phase of furniture testing focuses on the stability and durability of all components. Another important aspect are the test results and their compliance with all valid reference values for harmful substances. It is crucial that the furniture does not exceed the critical threshold values for alkanes, esters, terpenes, hydrocarbons and ketones. Furthermore, the responsible laboratories also test for CFCs, heavy metals, flame retardants and other biocides.
Lastly, the experts concentrate on the durability, light fastness and friction resistance of the products. Here, a great value is attached to outstanding production quality. Particularly in children’s furniture, school and youth furniture, protruding nails or sharp-edged components must not constitute a danger to safety and health. The quality mark is also awarded to kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom furniture.
These quality and testing regulations are unique in Europe and highly coveted. They are of such importance that they are used as a basis for international standardisation.
Who are the partners of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V.?
Thanks to the longstanding, intensive cooperation with the Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) and Stiftung Warentest (German consumer organisation), the work of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel e.V. provides an important basis of trust for consumers who associate the “Golden M” with safety, healthy living and sustainability.
Our partners are:
Moreover, the DGM is present in the following committees:
Which furniture manufacturers have already been awarded the quality mark?
In recent years, the quality mark of the Deutsche Gütegemeinschaft Möbel has become increasingly popular, even beyond German borders. The high testing standards convince even international customers of the exceptional quality of a furniture item. This is why, in addition to German furniture manufacturers, numerous European companies have been awarded the quality mark as well.
Due to the high requirements, nowhere near all of the interested parties can be certified with the “Golden M” by the DGM. Before being awarded the quality mark, the manufacturers must send their furniture to one of the numerous independent testing laboratories for an intensive analysis. The laboratories focus on high-level quality and safety testing as well as health compatibility and emission values of used materials. As a result, the DGM brings together furniture manufacturers of the highest quality only, who advocate for consumers as well as for the environment. To find a list of all furniture manufacturers whose products have been awarded the click here.
Where can you buy furniture with the “Golden M”?
Quality-tested furniture with the “Golden M” is available both in retail stores and online shops. However, the furniture retailers themselves generally decide which details are included in the description of the articles. Make sure to ask for furniture with the “Golden M” when purchasing furniture in retail stores or when ordering furniture online. It is worth it. To see a list of all certified furniture manufacturers, click here.