NORTHBROOK, IL - Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and Advanced Furniture Testing have signed an agreement to provide performance and durability testing for furniture.

Advanced Furniture Testing says it will also expand its capabilities this year to perform testing for UL furniture standards. This will enable manufacturers to test in more locations and have greater access to performance and durability testing, including BIFMA standards and testing to UL standards.

In November 2013, Advanced Furniture Testing opened a 10,000 square foot lab in Jasper, IN to service manufacturers of cabinetry, casegoods and office furniture. The lab will add BIFMA testing capabilities and UL customers can test in that location.

The two companies said the expanded testing will take place at Advanced Furniture Testing's Holland, MI facility. The many furniture makers in the area who work with UL can have their furniture performance and durability testing performed at in Advanced Furniture Testing's 17025-accredited laboratory there.

"By combining UL's leadership in safety standards for furniture with Advanced Furniture Testing's leadership in furniture testing, this relationship will provide high quality testing to furniture customers in the Midwest region of the U.S.," said Alberto Uggetti, VP and GM of UL's furniture industry, calling Advanced Furniture Testing a "logical and complementary choice to expand certification to UL safety standards in an important furniture manufacturing region.