The Government is seeking final views on the reform of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, which regulates the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture.
It follows the Government’s policy paper, 'The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture', published in January 2025, in which the Office for Product Safety and Standards and Department for Business and Trade committed to "move forward with reform plans and work with stakeholders to find resolutions to some of longstanding challenges in this sector".
The proposals reflect the policy's aim to maintain a high level of fire safety while meaningfully reducing chemical flame retardant use, and reflect "the large volume of stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering that has taken place over a number of years".
The Government plans to: introduce new furniture fire safety requirements based on a smoulder test; put in place "pragmatic testing solutions to facilitate innovation"; and make proportionate scope adjustments.
The proposed policy remains subject to review and may change as a result of the evidence and views provided by stakeholders in response to this consultation, which closes at 11:59pm on 23rd June 2026.
Respond online here.
