Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture – a product safety policy paper

22 January 2025 · Department for Business and Trade

Proposed by Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

Environment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Government is updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 to enhance fire safety and reduce chemical flame retardants in baby products.
  • Certain baby products will be removed from the scope of the amended regulations, and the requirement for a display label on these items will be eliminated.
  • The time limit for enforcement authorities to initiate legal proceedings will be extended as part of the regulatory changes.

Issue summary

The statement addresses updates to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 to improve fire safety while reducing exposure to chemical flame retardants for baby products.

Action requested

The Government is amending the FFRs by removing certain baby products from scope, eliminating the requirement for a display label on these items, and extending the time limit for enforcement authorities to institute legal proceedings. These changes will be implemented this year after consultations with stakeholders.

Key facts

  • The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 were introduced in response to furniture fire-related deaths from the 1960s to the 1980s.
  • Evidence has shown risks associated with chemical flame retardants used for flammability tests.
  • Baby products being removed from scope of FFRs are not exposed to the same ignition risks as furniture items.
  • The requirement to attach a display label will be removed, reducing labelling costs for businesses.
  • Enforcement authorities' time limit for legal proceedings is increased from six to twelve months.
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