Sofamaker Whitemeadow has been awarded membership of the Furniture Industry Research Association's Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture, which aims to offer reassurance that a manufacturer, retailer, upholster or supplier of upholstered furniture has suitable processes and procedures in place to demonstrate due diligence compliance with the UK's Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations (FFFSR).
Commercial director Andy Kitchen says: "The scheme has been awarded Assured Advice status by Hertfordshire Trading Standards, and any Assured Advice given as part of the scheme may be relied upon in the event of a difference in interpretation of the FFFSR by any UK enforcement bodies. Certified companies will, on satisfactory completion of the scheme audit, become part of a regulated group of businesses who will benefit from the provision of tailored advice in relation to the UK FFFSRs for upholstered furniture, which are enforced by Trading Standards.
"On 30th January this year, we undertook the audit. The audit covered process management, control of materials, traceability, compliance testing, labelling and crisis management. I am very pleased to say that we met the criteria in all areas, and were duly awarded our certificate of membership, as a certified company, on 22nd February.
"I am sure that this accreditation will be warmly received by our current and any potential new customers, giving us the credibility that comes from being certified under an industry- and Trading Standards-recognised scheme."
Pictured: Phil Reynolds, general manager at FIRA, and Whitemeadow's quality manager, Andy Pinder
