The importation of furniture is subject to SOIVRE controls for two main reasons. The first is to protect the Spanish wood and furniture industry. The second, even more important, is to protect consumers by ensuring that furniture from third countries meets minimum requirements for quality, ergonomics, and safety.
The Official Service of Inspection, Surveillance, and Regulation of Foreign Trade (SOIVRE) expanded its competencies in 2010 to cover international trade of a wide variety of goods, including the importation of furniture. The security control measures that furniture must undergo are detailed in the B.O.E. order, which expands the list of products included in Annex I of Royal Decree 330/2008 on Import Controls. Its purpose, as in the case of the importation of industrial products, is to monitor the entry of foreign products into our country that do not comply with regulations and may pose a risk to user safety.
Importation of Furniture Classified by SOIVRE
The importation of furniture is classified by SOIVRE according to the following criteria, obligations, and mandatory safety standards:
Children’s Furniture
- Moses baskets and rocking cradles: UNE-EN 1130: parts 1 and 2 (1996)
- High chairs: UNE-EN 14988: parts 1 and 2 (2006)
- Table-mounted high chairs: UNE-EN 1272:1998
- Cots: UNE-EN 716-1:2008 + A1:2013 and UNE-EN 716-2:2008 + A1:2013
- Changing tables: UNE-EN 12221: parts 1 and 2 (2009)
- The latest regulations in force will be reviewed for each import.
Office Furniture
- Office work chairs: UNE-EN 1335-1:2001 + AC 2003 (dimensions), UNE-EN 1335-2:2009 (safety), UNE-EN 1335-3:2009 (tests for stability, strength, and durability)
- Conference chairs: UNE-EN 16139:2013
- Work desks and tables made of wood or metal: UNE-EN 527-1:2011 (dimensions), UNE-EN 527-2:2003 (safety), UNE-EN 527-3:2003 (stability and mechanical strength of the structure), UNE-EN 14074:2005 (strength and durability of moving parts)
- Filing furniture made of wood or metal: UNE-CEN/TR 14073-1: 2005 IN + Erratum 2007 (dimensions), UNE-EN 14073-2:2005 (safety), UNE-EN 14073-3:2005 (stability and mechanical strength of the structure), UNE-EN 14074:2005 (strength and durability of moving parts)
- The latest regulations in force will be reviewed for each import.
Adult Furniture
- Outdoor seats for domestic, public, and camping use: UNE-EN 581-1:2006 (safety), UNE-EN 581-2:2009 (mechanical safety and test methods).
- Indoor seats for domestic use (chairs, armchairs, stools, sofas): UNE-EN 12520:2010 (basic safety requirements), UNE-EN 1022:2005 (stability), UNE-EN 1728:2013 (strength and durability)
- Bunk beds (minimum of 2 beds) and loft beds (one single bed) for domestic and non-domestic use: UNE-EN 747:2012 (domestic use) UNE-EN 13453:2004 parts 1 and 2 (non-domestic use)
- Folding beds for domestic use: UNE-EN 1129:1995 (parts 1 and 2)
- Step stools: UNE-EN 14183:2004
- Aligned seats for auditoriums and stadiums: UNE-EN 12727
- Seats for non-domestic use (except office chairs, school chairs, outdoor use chairs, and aligned seats): UNE-EN 16139:2013
- School chairs: UNE-EN 1729
- The latest regulations in force will be reviewed for each import.
Importers of the furniture listed above must be very cautious when choosing their suppliers and handling the processes, as they are required to guarantee the traceability of references on the invoices.
Furniture Not Subject to SOIVRE Control
The following furniture, among others, is not subject to SOIVRE control:
- Special seats for medical, orthopedic, and other uses such as barber or dentist chairs
- Massage chairs
- Tables, except office desks made of wood or metal
- Dining room and living room furniture, except seats
- Bedroom furniture, except folding beds and bunk beds
- Kitchen furniture
- Educational use tables
- Office furniture other than those subject to control
If you are interested in importing furniture, do not hesitate to consult our experts on the regulations governing them.
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