Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture
This paper comments on 6 themes associated with furniture fire safety and sets out the intentions for the implementation of a new regulatory approach.
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While the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFRs) have contributed significantly to protecting consumers for more than three decades, they are out of step with modern approaches to product safety and are increasingly a potential barrier to innovation and the circular economy.
This paper addresses 6 themes within the furniture fire safety policy space. It sets out the Government’s intentions for the implementation of a new regulatory approach. It highlights the challenges to address over the next 12 months, in order to finalise the reforms that will continue to protect consumers and provide the certainty businesses need to invest in this important sector. It extends to action the Government intends to take immediately, by amending the FFRs, to ensure some benefits can be delivered while decisions are taken about future policy direction.
The most recent consultation on the FFRs took place between 2 August and 24 October 2023. In the interests of transparency, a summary of the responses received was published alongside this paper.