Big News! EWG VERIFIED® Now Includes Mattresses

Many thanks to Homer Swei, Ph.D., senior vice president for Healthy Living Science and Consumer Safety Science at the Environmental Working Group, for this guest blog post detailing EWG’s exciting new mattress verification program. 

Do you know what’s in your mattress? Adults spend a third of their lives sleeping on a mattress. But an investigation into the mattress industry revealed a startling lack of regulations for mattress materials, and an absence of standards for respiratory and skin health.

For over three decades, the Environmental Working Group has been a beacon of trust and guidance for consumer health and safety. Now, we are thrilled to announce that our expertise and commitment to healthy living is extending to an essential part of your daily life – your mattress.

We would like to congratulate Naturepedic on being the “First in Category” for EWG VERIFIED®: Mattresses. Their commitment to health and safety mirrors our own and sets a new benchmark in the industry.

Read on for everything you, as a consumer, should know.

Most products on the market today are made with chemicals that were introduced several decades ago and include chemicals linked to serious health issues, such as:

• Cancer
• Asthma
• Sensitizers
• Birth defects
• Fertility problems

Of concern are continuous exposures from products such as shampoos, soaps, cleaners, diapers and mattresses most of us use every single day.

Manufacturers are rarely required to disclose all ingredients on their product packaging and websites. This lack of transparency leaves consumers in the dark about the true nature of the products they use daily.

Since its inception, in 1993, EWG has diligently monitored chemical safety in consumer products. We identify harmful chemicals and the companies that use them – or, more importantly for you, the companies that don’t. Our consumer guides have become an essential resource for shoppers across the nation, helping you make informed choices for healthier homes and lifestyles. 

Most mattresses and beds today are made with a variety of petroleum-based chemicals, foam, plastics, flame retardants and controversial flame barriers, such as fiberglass. Most of these compounds have not been fully evaluated for health and safety, even though they are in close contact with our skin, eyes and nose for at least seven hours a day for adults and up to 16 hours a day for infants. The possible harm to our health, over a lifetime, cannot be understated.

This alarming reality underscores the importance of scrutinizing and regulating the materials used in everyday products that have not been fully evaluated for health and safety, particularly those that come into direct contact with our bodies.

EWG is so proud to include our mark on mattresses for babies, kids and adults. EWG VERIFIED: Mattresses is more than just a seal of approval; it's a testament to our commitment to health, safety and transparency in consumer products. Here’s what we’re looking at.

At the core of the EWG VERIFIED: Mattresses program is a rigorous focus on health and safety. Our standards are meticulously crafted to safeguard against a wide range of harmful substances, from allergens to irritants, asthmagens to carcinogens and more.

Our goal is to ensure that the mattresses carrying our mark contribute positively to the overall health and well-being of the users.

In an industry where ingredient opacity is the norm, EWG VERIFIED: Mattresses makes full transparency the priority. We believe that consumers have the right to know exactly what they are sleeping on. This transparency extends to every component of the mattress, ensuring there are no hidden chemicals or undisclosed hazards. 

By shedding light on what goes into each mattress, we empower consumers to make informed decisions that align with their health and environmental values.

Beyond verifying products, EWG is deeply invested in educating consumers. Through EWG VERIFIED: Mattresses, we aim to provide valuable insights into why certain materials and chemicals should be avoided and how choosing the right mattress can impact overall health. 

This education is crucial to helping consumers understand the importance of focusing on health in their purchasing decisions, not just of mattresses but to a wide range of consumer products.

The standards set for EWG VERIFIED: Mattresses are comprehensive and all-encompassing. 

Developed and implemented entirely in-house, these standards cover every aspect of mattress safety. From the initial setting of criteria, conducting technical reviews, producing lists of restricted chemicals, to performing thorough safety assessments, every step is designed to ensure we apply our highest level for safety and quality. This meticulous approach sets EWG VERIFIED: Mattresses apart from other seals in the market.

We created EWG VERIFIED to develop a standard based in science that companies could strive for in their efforts to create healthier, safer products. We advocate for healthier products across the board – including cleaning products, baby products, and personal care products ranging from skin care to sun care and makeup, fragrance and more. 

In addition to looking for the EWG VERIFIED mark on product packaging, consumers can search for products and ingredients using our consumer databases and the Healthy Living app. 

Our goal is for all products on the market to be made without harmful chemicals, so that every consumer’s purchasing decisions can finally be stress-free.

Naturepedic’s distinction as the first mattress to be EWG VERIFIED® is noteworthy. Their dedication to using quality, organic materials resonates deeply with the values of EWG. By achieving this mark, Naturepedic has established a new industry standard, demonstrating that it’s entirely feasible to blend transparency, quality, health and safety, all in a single mattress.

Sleeping on an EWG VERIFIED mattress, like a Naturepedic mattress, means you’re making an informed choice for your health, the health of your loved ones and the health of the planet. 

As we continue to grow the EWG VERIFIED program, we invite you to join us in advocating for a healthier world. Sleep better knowing your mattress is EWG VERIFIED.

Interested in doing more? Here are ways you can take action with EWG or make a donation.