Confidently choosing the right mattress, on which you will spend roughly eight hours a day, is no easy feat. Personal preferences, needs, and body type and shape, are factors that influence the choice between different types of mattresses.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in attention to individual wellness and health, which has stimulated and driven the industry to develop new products and technologies, aimed at meeting these emerging needs through increasingly innovative solutions. The mattress industry has especially seen significant developments is in this direction.
Once considered a mere surface to rest, the mattress now represents a true wellbeing tool: its design is no longer limited to providing comfortable support during sleep, but aims to offer health benefits and to improve the quality of sleep itself.
Among the most interesting developments is undoubtedly the design of medical-grade mattresses. Their ability to affect posture, peripheral circulation and overall sleep quality has led to the development of mattresses designed specifically to address skeletal-muscular, circulatory and other sleep-related problems.
These mattresses – supported by scientific research and clinical tests – are now equipped with advanced technologies that regulate temperature, body weight distribution and other factors that can impact sleep.
ErgoCert Testing and CE Marking: ensuring safety and effectiveness
In this context, ErgoCert testing and CE marking play a key role in providing evidence of product quality and efficacy and in making the product suitable for tax savings as medical-grade mattresses.
ErgoCert tests certify the mattress ergonomic qualities and its suitability to support postural health and general wellbeing.
ErgoCert is the first internationally accredited certification body that specialises in ergonomics and sleep health. Through a series of thorough tests and scientific evaluation methods, ErgoCert examines whether a mattress meets the ergonomic and therapeutic requirements to be considered a medical device. These tests help ensure that the mattress delivers the promised benefits and thus meets the required quality standards.
Likewise, the CE marking certifies that the mattress meets the requirements of EU legislation on safety, health and environment, hence confirming its suitability as medical devices.
As explained by the European Commission, the CE marking “guarantees and informs the consumer or user that a series of procedures have been carried out on that product or machinery, a risk analysis has been completed, and tests, trials and calculations have been performed before being placed on the market, in order to ensure safety for the end user.”
19% tax deduction on medical-grade mattresses
From a practical point of view, such certifications not only provide greater consumer safety and confidence in products but can also affect the tax benefits when purchasing medical-grade mattresses.
In many countries, medical devices may in fact benefit from tax subsidies, which may for example include reduced VAT or even exemption. In Italy, for example, a tax relief of 19% is provided on purchases of mattresses certified as medical devices. This tax ‘incentive’ aims to promote the purchase of products that can improve a person’s health and wellbeing, thus encouraging a preventative approach to health.
In conclusion, the shift from traditional mattresses to more modern and advanced health-oriented solutions is a clear reflection of the growing interest in personal wellbeing.
This convergence of technological advances, scientific validation and regulatory compliance is redefining the way we view sleep and health, and is opening new opportunities to improve our overall quality of life.