Many parents believe that children’s room furniture is more expensive and supposedly safer, but the reality might not match the expectations. The idea of "zero formaldehyde" is often used as a marketing tool, but how reliable is it?
Peng Yong, a parent preparing to decorate his home, was told by his mother to choose special children’s wallpaper that has no formaldehyde. However, after checking online, he found that children’s wallpaper is significantly more expensive than regular options, yet there's little proof that it’s actually environmentally friendly. “I watched several videos, but I still couldn’t find any clear evidence that these products are truly safe,†he said.
Children's furniture is typically 2-3% more expensive
During a recent visit to major home improvement stores such as Daming Palace, Sansen, Hongxing Meikailong, and Real Home, reporters noticed that most stores now offer exclusive children’s furniture lines. These products tend to be pricier than their adult counterparts. For example, a set of children’s bed and wardrobe in one brand store costs over 10,000 yuan, while the same items for adults are priced at around 7,000 yuan.
When asked why children’s furniture is so expensive, a sales representative explained, “It uses higher-quality materials and imported paints, which are safer and more environmentally friendly.†In the paint section, a child-friendly paint from Dulux was priced at 1,080 yuan per barrel—over 200 yuan more than the standard "Sen Breath" paint. According to the sales staff, the difference lies in the lower formaldehyde content, making it more suitable for children.
Most environmental claims are just marketing hype
But are these claims accurate? According to a senior interior designer interviewed by the reporter, the so-called "children’s" products are often just a marketing strategy. “There is no national standard specifically for children’s furniture or paints,†he said. “Most of the time, companies just follow general industry standards and reduce harmful substances slightly.â€
When the reporter checked official Chinese standards, they found that there are no specific regulations for children’s furniture or paints. Instead, the existing standards apply to all interior decoration materials. This means that many so-called "eco-friendly" or "zero formaldehyde" products may not meet stricter safety requirements.
In fact, during a recent quality inspection by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, 33 out of 61 sampled children’s furniture products failed. Issues included excessive formaldehyde emissions, unsafe edges, and missing warning labels. Even well-known brands like “Colorful Life†and “More Love†were listed among theä¸åˆæ ¼ (unqualified) products.
So, when choosing furniture or paint for a child’s room, it’s important to look beyond the marketing and verify the actual safety standards. Always ask for test reports and consider third-party certifications rather than relying solely on the term “zero formaldehyde.â€
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