How we work

Methodology

The full scoring rubric. Every weight. Every evidence standard. The reasoning behind every editorial decision — published openly and available for anyone to audit.

The evidence-tagging system

Most chemistry writing collapses three different kinds of statements into the same confident voice. We do not. Every assertion in every piece carries one of three tags so the reader always knows what kind of claim they are reading.

Peer-reviewed

Documented in the literature

Statements supported by a published peer-reviewed study, regulatory filing, or certification standard. The citation is provided. The reader can verify. This is the only category we treat as established.

Inferred

A reasoned argument

A logical extension of the underlying evidence — not a direct finding, but a defensible interpretation. We show our reasoning so it can be challenged. This is how we engage with gaps in the literature without pretending they don't exist.

Speculation

An open question

A possibility worth naming that the literature has not yet answered. Flagged so it cannot be mistaken for a finding. Most mattress writing skips this step. We do not — because naming what we don't know is how we earn the right to be trusted about what we do.

The scoring rubric

Each mattress in the database is evaluated across five independent dimensions. A mattress cannot receive a composite score until documentation has been gathered on all five. Where documentation is unavailable, we say so — and the entry stays in "Partial" status until it is.

Dimension What we evaluate Weight
Fire barrier chemistry Material identity (fiberglass, wool, rayon, modacrylic, chemical FR); disclosure completeness; consumer risk on cover removal 30%
Cover treatment PFAS presence or absence; treatment disclosure; state reporting compliance 25%
Foam certifications CertiPUR-US; specific OPFR/PBDE disclosures beyond certification scope 20%
Textile certifications GOTS, GOLS, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, MADE SAFE, GreenGuard Gold; scope of each 15%
Long-term emission profile Published chamber data beyond 72 hours; independent test results; manufacturer disclosure of long-term off-gassing 10%

Documentation standards

Before any mattress appears in the database with a published score, the following must be in hand:

  • Law tag documentation — physical photo or manufacturer-confirmed materials list, itemized by percentage.
  • Fire barrier identity — confirmed through law tag, manufacturer disclosure, or independent testing. "The brand said it's safe" is not acceptable documentation.
  • 14-day right of response — every brand is contacted before their entry publishes. They are given 14 days to provide corrections or additional documentation. Responses are incorporated. Non-responses are noted.
  • Source links — every cited claim links to a primary source: the regulatory filing, the peer-reviewed study, the certification database entry, or the manufacturer's own disclosure page.

What we will not do

  • Accept manufacturer claims without documentation. "Our mattress is non-toxic" is a marketing claim, not a finding.
  • Treat certification scope as total scope. CertiPUR-US certifies the foam. It does not certify the mattress.
  • Assign composite scores before all five dimensions are documented.
  • Remove or soften a score because a brand objects to the finding.
  • Accept sponsored content, paid placements, or affiliate commissions from any brand we score.

Corrections and updates

When we are wrong, we update the piece and timestamp the change. The old version is archived and accessible. We do not quietly edit errors out of existence — that's how affiliate-funded publications maintain the appearance of credibility while updating inconvenient findings.

If you find an error in anything we've published, email us at hello@embrsleep.com. We will investigate and respond within 7 days.