Few purchases are harder to evaluate through a sustainability lens than a mattress. They’re large, expensive, and built from layers of materials that each carry their own environmental footprint. Terms like “organic,” “eco,” and “green” are used loosely across the industry, making it difficult to know what actually matters when you’re trying to make a more considered choice.
This article doesn’t declare a single correct brand. Instead, it lays out the criteria worth understanding when evaluating mattresses, then applies those criteria to seven brands available in or around the Japanese market. “Buying nothing right now” and “continuing to use what you already have” are treated as equally valid decisions here.
The Criteria We Used
Mattress sustainability breaks down into three broad areas: what the product is made from, how it’s manufactured and transported, and what happens to it when it’s no longer useful. With those in mind, we looked at the following factors for each brand.
Construction type — whether the mattress relies primarily on polyurethane foam or incorporates springs and natural materials. Life cycle assessment (LCA) research focused on the European market has indicated that, at the materials manufacturing stage, polyurethane foam tends to have a significantly higher global warming potential (GWP) than spring-based designs — sometimes several times higher. That said, actual figures vary depending on recycling rates at end-of-life, the type of steel used, and other variables.
GOLS certification — the Global Organic Latex Standard, which requires that at least 95% of the total weight of a certified latex product come from certified organic latex, with strict chemical restrictions applied to remaining components.
GOTS certification — the Global Organic Textile Standard, applied to fabric covers and fiber components to verify they meet international organic textile requirements.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — a testing and certification system that limits harmful substances in textile and foam materials.
FSC certification — the Forest Stewardship Council standard, relevant for latex and wood materials to confirm responsible sourcing from forests.
End-of-life options — whether the product is designed to be disassembled, recycled, or returned through a take-back program.
A note before we get into the brands: certifications are one tool, not the whole picture. Durability matters too. A mattress that lasts significantly longer than average reduces how often it needs to be replaced, which is itself a meaningful environmental consideration.
The 7 Brands
1. Magniflex
Magniflex is an Italian brand with solid availability in Japan and relatively accessible pricing compared to specialty natural mattress brands. It holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification and uses a springless construction. The company describes a vacuum roll-up production method that compresses mattresses to roughly one-eighth of their original volume for shipping, which it states contributes to lower CO₂ emissions during transport. Specific comparative figures are not provided on the brand’s website, so this claim reflects the company’s own characterization.
May suit you if: You want to buy domestically with local support, you want chemical content certification, or you’re interested in transportation-stage environmental impact.
May not suit you if: GOTS or GOLS organic material certification is a priority — neither was confirmed in our research.
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2. SaFo
SaFo is a Japanese brand operated by a company called Heart Co., Ltd. According to the brand, its manufacturing facility has held GOTS certification issued by ECOCERT since 2009, which it describes as the first bedding manufacturer in Japan to receive that certification. This is based on the brand’s own stated information. For those specifically looking for domestic Japanese brands with verifiable organic textile certification, SaFo represents one of the few options where that information is available in primary form.
May suit you if: You want GOTS-certified fiber components from a Japanese brand, or you prioritize organic cotton.
May not suit you if: You also want GOLS certification for latex core materials — that was not confirmed in our research.
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3. Body Doctor
Body Doctor uses 100% natural latex sourced from Malaysia. The company states that the material is biodegradable and that it does not release harmful substances when incinerated. Regarding biodegradation: the manufacturer’s own testing indicates that breakdown begins in soil, but actual decomposition rates depend heavily on environmental conditions — soil temperature, humidity, and microbial activity. The brand also lists an “ECOLABEL” certification, but the certifying body and scope of this certification could not be confirmed in our research. It is potentially distinct from the EU Ecolabel. Direct confirmation from the manufacturer is recommended before purchasing.
May suit you if: End-of-life biodegradability is important to you, or you prioritize natural material sourcing.
May not suit you if: You want to verify third-party certification details before buying — the ECOLABEL information remains unclear.
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4. Koala Sleep
Koala Sleep is an Australian brand with strong name recognition in Japan. Its foams carry CertiPUR-US® certification, which addresses chemical content standards for polyurethane foam — specifically, restrictions on certain heavy metals and phthalates, and a requirement that total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) remain below 0.5 ppm.
It’s worth noting that LCA research has generally found polyurethane-foam-dominant mattresses to have a higher GWP at the manufacturing stage compared to spring designs. That’s a relevant data point. On the other side, if the mattress is durable enough to remain in use for a significantly longer time, that reduces replacement frequency — which carries its own environmental benefit.
May suit you if: You want foam chemical content certification and prefer buying from a brand with strong domestic support in Japan.
May not suit you if: GOLS or GOTS organic certification matters to you, or you’re concerned about manufacturing-stage environmental impact.
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5. IKEA (MAUSUND, ÅNNELAND, and others)
Certain IKEA mattress models incorporate natural materials including natural latex, coconut fiber, cotton, and wool. In Japan and some other markets, IKEA offers a conditional take-back service for old mattresses when delivering new ones — a practical end-of-life option that’s worth factoring in. Conditions such as applicable fees and eligible products may change, so checking current IKEA Japan information directly is advisable.
May suit you if: Accessible pricing matters to you, or you want a take-back disposal option.
May not suit you if: Third-party organic certifications like GOLS or GOTS are a requirement — these were not confirmed in our research for the relevant models.
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6. Emma Sleep
Emma Sleep’s mattress cover (the outer textile layer) holds OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification — the most stringent category, typically associated with products intended for infants. However, our research did not confirm organic certification for the foam core materials.
May suit you if: Cover material chemical management is a priority, or you want a brand with strong Japanese-language customer support.
May not suit you if: You want organic certification across all materials, including the interior foam layers.
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7. billerbeck (Milfi)
Bilawa is a German brand. Its Milfi mattress line uses a 100% natural latex core, which is clearly stated by the manufacturer. However, third-party certification details — including whether GOLS certification applies — were not confirmed in our research.
May suit you if: 100% natural latex construction is what you’re looking for, or you have a preference for European brands.
May not suit you if: You need to verify certification status through primary sources before purchasing.
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A Few Points Worth Clarifying
“Organic” and “natural” are not the same as certified. A product can be made from natural materials without holding any third-party certification. The starting point for evaluation is identifying what certification applies, and who issued it.
More certifications don’t automatically mean more sustainable. A mattress with fewer certifications but exceptional durability may have a lower overall environmental impact than a well-certified one that needs replacing in a few years.
Domestic versus international brands involve real trade-offs. Overseas brands often publish more detailed certification information, but domestic customer support may be limited. Japanese brands tend to offer more accessible support but sometimes publish less certification detail. Which matters more depends on your priorities.
This information has a shelf life. Certification statuses and service offerings change. Before making a purchase decision, verify current information directly with each brand.
What We Couldn’t Fully Confirm
- Body Doctor’s ECOLABEL: The brand lists this certification, but the issuing body and scope could not be identified in our research. It may not be the EU Ecolabel.
- Bilawa’s GOLS status: Natural latex content is clearly stated, but third-party certification details remain unconfirmed.
- FSC certification for mattress core materials sold in Japan: We did not find examples of Japanese-market product pages explicitly stating FSC certification for mattress core materials.
- A universal comprehensive mattress eco-label: While some regions have certification schemes that include mattresses (such as certain EU Ecolabel categories), we could not confirm the existence of a globally recognized, mattress-specific comprehensive environmental label.
Final Thoughts
A mattress touches three distinct environmental moments: how it’s made, how it’s used, and how it ends. The right choice depends on which of those moments carries the most weight for you — and on practical factors like budget, available support, and how much time you want to spend verifying claims.
There’s no single correct answer here. Choosing based on chemical certifications, prioritizing end-of-life disposal options, or simply keeping your current mattress longer — all of these are reasonable, defensible decisions.
If something in this article made you want to look more closely at a particular brand or certification, that’s a good place to start. If you’ve decided you’re not ready to make a change yet, that’s a decision too.
