When it comes to buying a mattress, you probably consider comfort, size and price. But there’s another factor that’s increasingly important: certifications. Whether you're looking for organic materials, avoiding toxic chemicals or living an eco-friendly lifestyle, certifications can reveal a lot about the quality and ethics behind the products you choose to consume, including mattresses. 

With so many brands out there that claim to be ethical, knowing what to look for in mattress certifications can help you make a choice that’s not just good for your sleep, but good for the planet, too.

Mattress certifications are crucial because they’re one of the few ways consumers can be assured of what they're truly getting. In an industry with so much greenwashing and marketing jargon, certifications provide an objective standard of safety, sustainability and material integrity. This is especially important for those who want to avoid harmful chemicals, support ethical practices or invest in environmentally friendly products. 

Not all certifications are created equal, though – some are much more rigorous than others. Here, we’ll look at the eight best certifications that can make all the difference when you’re shopping for a sustainable mattress.

The mattress market is loaded with certifications, but which ones really stand out? The following eight certifications represent the gold standard for eco-conscious and health-conscious consumers alike. 

The Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS, is the certification to look for when seeking true organic quality in textiles. GOTS goes beyond just verifying that organic materials (like organic cotton) are used – it ensures that every stage of production, from raw material harvesting to responsible manufacturing and labeling, meets stringent environmental and social criteria. 

For a mattress to be GOTS certified, 95% of the fiber used must be organic, and the entire process must be free from bleaches, dyes and finishes they deem to be toxic. For eco-conscious consumers, GOTS certification signals a dedication to purity, sustainability and fair labor practices.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently introduced the EWG VERIFIED standard for mattresses, setting a new benchmark for product safety and transparency. As one of the newest standards in the industry, EWG VERIFIED upholds some of the strictest criteria, ensuring that certified mattresses are free from many harmful chemicals including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors and allergens. 

Happsy was one of the first mattresses to meet this rigorous standard, underscoring our commitment to health and transparency. To earn EWG VERIFIED, mattresses must provide a detailed breakdown of ingredients and manufacturing processes, giving consumers confidence in the product's safety. 

Indoor air quality is crucial in the bedroom, especially considering how much time we spend in bed (a third of your life, if you didn’t know!). GREENGUARD Gold is one of the most widely respected certifications for indoor air quality. This certification ensures that a mattress has been tested and verified for low chemical emissions, contributing to a cleaner and healthier indoor environment. 

GREENGUARD Gold takes things a step further by certifying products suitable for sensitive environments, like schools and healthcare facilities. When you see a GREENGUARD Gold logo, you can trust that the product meets rigorous standards for low VOC emissions.

Formaldehyde is a common chemical in manufacturing that can off-gas and contribute to indoor air pollution – and a known carcinogen. Mattresses with the UL Formaldehyde Free validation have been tested and verified to contain no formaldehyde, making them a safer choice for any indoor environment. This certification is part of UL Environment, an organization dedicated to promoting safer products and greener practices. 

Most mattresses – yes, even certified organic mattresses – use glues and adhesives in their coil systems that contain formaldehyde. (It’s one of the reasons we’re so proud of our glueless encased-coil design!) Choosing a mattress with this certification helps ensure that your bed is free from potentially hazardous formaldehyde emissions, providing a safer and cleaner sleeping environment.

The MADE SAFE certification is an endorsement of a product’s safety for both people and planet. To earn MADE SAFE certification, a mattress must be free from over 6,500 toxins that are known to harm human health, wildlife and ecosystems. This includes avoiding carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine disruptors and even harmful flame retardants (something we talk about a lot here at Happsy). MADE SAFE is particularly stringent, going beyond what many other certifications require, and is ideal for those who prioritize non-toxic living and want their mattress to meet the highest standards of health and environmental safety.

For anyone looking for a hybrid organic mattress (like the Happsy Organic Mattress), the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) is an important certification to know. GOLS certification ensures that a latex mattress contains a minimum of 95% certified organic raw latex, meeting specific criteria for environmental and social responsibility. 

GOLS also requires that latex products avoid harmful fillers and synthetic substances, ensuring that your latex mattress is as natural as possible. This certification provides a guarantee of both purity and sustainability, making it a must-have for those seeking a mattress with a focus on natural materials and those who love the full-body contouring that latex provides.

When mattresses include wood-based materials like foundations or inner supports, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certification is an essential standard for sustainability. FSC®-certified wood is responsibly sourced from forests managed with sustainable practices that protect biodiversity and respect the rights of local communities. This certification is recognized worldwide and sets high standards for forest management, ensuring that every piece of wood used in a mattress or mattress foundation has been sourced responsibly. FSC® certification helps consumers make eco-friendly choices that contribute to healthier forests and a more sustainable planet.

While not a material certification, 1% for the Planet membership demonstrates a company’s commitment to environmental philanthropy. Brands participating in this program donate at least 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes, contributing to nonprofit organizations focused on preserving the planet’s natural resources. 

This commitment goes beyond what’s in the mattress and shows that the company is aligned with sustainable values, supporting efforts to combat climate change, protect wildlife and preserve ecosystems. By supporting brands that participate in 1% for the Planet, consumers can make an impact on the world beyond their individual purchase.

Happsy takes certifications seriously, and we’re proud to meet every one of the rigorous standards listed above. We don’t just meet the minimum requirements – we aim to exceed them wherever possible. From GOTS and GOLS to MADE SAFE and 1% for the Planet, Happsy’s certifications and memberships reflect our commitment to offering the best in organic sleep. Why? Because we’re a mattress with a conscience. 

The mattress industry has many certifications, and while many of them have their merits, not all of them are as comprehensive or rigorous as the ones we’ve highlighted here. Happsy has intentionally chosen the certifications we pursue because we believe these are the most trustworthy and meaningful standards available. Some certifications may appear to cover similar ground, but fall short when it comes to strict enforcement or high thresholds for safety and sustainability. 

For example, Happsy does not have the CertiPUR certification you may see widely in the market. That's because this certification is specific to polyurethane foam, a material we say “no way!” to. 

At Happsy, we prioritize certifications that offer the most thorough, transparent and impactful assurances for our customers. That is to say, other certifications may work well for certain brands, but they don’t always uphold our same level of integrity or focus on what matters most to health and the environment. 

Happsy’s aim is to provide products that meet the highest standards for our customers, both in terms of what’s in the mattress and what’s left out. This way, when you choose Happsy, you’re choosing a mattress that feels good, and that you can feel good about.

Want more tips on smart shopping and avoiding greenwashing? Read more on our Greener Living Blog.