Almost every mattress contains
polyurethane foams, as they are used not only as the main component of
foam mattresses but also as an additional protective layer for
springs in mattresses and other components. Therefore, it is essential to understand the
markings of foams to be able to recognize and evaluate them.
Remember that the full
parameters of the foam should consist of a letter designation (
V, T, or HR) and a four-digit sequence, where the first two digits represent the
density in kg/m³, and the next two digits indicate the
hardness in kPa. Alternatively, a five-digit sequence is allowed when specifying
hardness in N. Sellers and manufacturers always have a
legal obligation to disclose the parameters of foams to consumers, so they cannot hide behind alleged
trade secrets, which often happens.
The failure to disclose
specific information by the manufacturer or seller should be considered a deliberate
misleading of the consumer and a violation of legal regulations. It should be noted that
Article 25 of the Act on Combating Unfair Competition directly states that the failure to provide information about the
essential characteristics of the product is considered detrimental to the consumer.
It is worth emphasizing that, according to
Article 546 §1 of the Civil Code, the seller is obliged to provide the buyer with the
necessary explanations before concluding the contract, especially regarding the
full parameters of polyurethane foams, which are crucial for the mattress core. Failure to provide such information is a
violation of this obligation, which can be significant in case of a dispute.
Also, according to
Article 5461 §1 of the Civil Code, if the buyer is a consumer, the seller is obliged to provide
clear, understandable, and truthful information before concluding the contract. In the case of a
mattress, this provision is considered violated when the information is
unclear, misleading, or hidden by the seller.
Moreover, according to
Article 5461 §3 of the Civil Code, the seller must provide customers with appropriate
technical and organizational conditions at the point of sale. These are aimed at allowing the proper assessment of the
quality and functionality of the product. If the consumer does not have the opportunity to
test the mattress in conditions as close as possible to those in the
customer's bedroom, the seller violates this obligation.