SSA's new Bedfax.org to offer consumers, RSAs info on mattresses

Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, January 15, 2013

LAS VEGAS — The Specialty Sleep Assn. will launch Bedfax.org, a website for consumers and retail sales associates, during the trade association's educational event at the upcoming Las Vegas Market.

The event, "What's In Your Mattress," begins at 4 p.m. Jan. 28 - the opening day of market - in space C-176 of the World Market Center.

The new website is designed to drive bedding sales through consumer education and promote SSA's Environment and Safety product labeling program to bedding manufacturers and dealers, said SSA President Dale Read.

"Women, especially moms, will continue to drive demand for safe and sustainable home goods, including bedding products, but many are confused or wary of misinformation," said Read. "With Bedfax.org, the SSA intends to create an online resource for pre-purchase research, with the ultimate goal of connecting consumers to dealers that sell SSA certified and labeled mattresses."

The new site, www.bedfax.org, will include a video, a glossary of terms related to environmental and product safety claims, and a list of manufacturers participating in the SSA labeling program. The video will be shown at the Jan. 28 event.

The event will feature a panel discussion moderated by interior designer Sarah Barnard of Sara Barnard Designs in Santa Monica, Calif. Panelists will include Chris Chamberlain, co-founder of The Clean Bedroom, a Kittery, Maine-based retailer who specializes in organic mattresses; and Barry Cik, founder of Naturepedic, an organic bedding manufacturer.