Domestic upholstered furniture faces an uncertain future. On 23rd June, the window will close for industry feedback ahead of reforms to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (‘FFRs’) an issue long discussed by successive Governments. Here, Furniture News presents views from a range of stakeholders …
The rules by which upholstered furniture sold in the UK must abide were laid down in the late 80s, prompted by the infamous Woolworths fire of 1979 which claimed 10 lives, and catalysed by further deaths caused by toxic fumes.
The FFRs forced manufacturers to make furniture fillings and covers from safer, less flammable materials. On the face of it, safety would seem a clear-cut reason to maintain such regulations, yet concern has since mounted that the very flame retardants mandated by the ruling might themselves be a hazard to health, not to mention the environmental impact of their inclusion in products.
Another point to consider is that the regulations essentially make British furniture unique in its composition safeguarding British-made product in the market, yet hindering import and export activities. Those in favour of deregulation point out that the decline in fire deaths since the FFRs were introduced could have as much to do with greater awareness of fire risk, more widespread use of smoke alarms and fewer smokers.
In January 2025, the Government’s published a policy paper which called the FFRs “out of step with modern approaches to product safety and … increasingly a potential barrier to innovation and the circular economy”.
Building on feedback gathered in 2023 – and twice prior to that – the Government says it has engaged with businesses, charities, fire services and unions to shape a comprehensive reform of the regulations, that promises to bring certainty to anyone operating in the sector, taking “an evidence-led approach to craft a set of policy proposals that will maintain a high level of fire safety, while meaningfully reducing the reliance on chemical flame retardants brought about by the FFRs – a reliance which has not been seen elsewhere”.
The Government is proposing the following updates to deliver that certainty:
- Introduce new furniture fire safety requirements based on a smoulder test
To maintain a high level of fire safety, while meaningfully reducing the reliance on chemical flame retardants, the Government says it will: end open-flame testing requirements; introduce new regulations underpinned by a smoulder test aligning with international approaches; put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation plan and mechanisms to assess the impact of changes; and retain bespoke regulations to ensure it can amend requirements if evidence necessitates it.
It adds that it will not: remove furniture fire safety regulations completely; implement a flame-retardant technology hierarchy; or remove outdoor furniture from the scope of the regulations.
2: Pragmatic testing solutions to facilitate innovation
To ensure testing requirements are pragmatic and support innovation while protecting consumers, the Government says it will: allow businesses to conduct composite or component testing; and work with the British Standards Institution to ensure that standards are available to support compliance.
It adds that it will not require foam fillings to be tested separately, where manufacturers are utilising composite testing methods.
Proposal 3: Proportionate scope adjustments
To ensure that regulatory requirements are proportionate, the Government says it will: remove re-upholstery and repair from the scope of the regulations; and remove secondhand upholstered furniture from the scope of the regulations.
It says it will not: place additional administrative burdens on upholsterers; or take a zero-risk approach which leads to serviceable furniture being disposed of.
Later this year, the Government plans to publish a response that sets out “a comprehensive policy position, including addressing labelling and technical file requirements, and set out a timeline for implementing changes and transitioning to the new regime”.
With the deadline for (what the Government promises will be) the final consultation fast approaching, dialogue around the issue of furniture and fire safety has grown more heated, as stakeholders from across the spectrum of the industry argue for the maintenance, amendment, or full-blown reform of the FFRs. In June's issue, Furniture News shares a range of perspectives …
Read the latest Office for Product Safety & Standards/Department for Business & Trade FFR consultation information, including how to respond, here – and discover views from various industry stakeholders in June's issue.
