CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

UK: Policy paper on the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations published

JANUARY 2025 - HARDLINES, SOFTLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

On January 22, 2025, OPSS (Office for Product Safety & Standards) published a policy paper¹. It provides instructive commentary and sets out the Government’s intentions for the implementation of a new regulatory approach. It also provides stakeholders with an important update on the next steps in the Government’s review of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFRs).

The policy paper reflects on evidence received in response to the consultation² on the new approach to the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture. It addresses 6 themes within the furniture fire safety policy space, highlighting key proposals requiring further exploration and development in collaboration with stakeholders. It also extends to action the Government intends to take immediately, by amending the FFRs. Changes to the existing legislation will be made as soon as parliamentary time allows and will take effect six months later.

The immediate action taken to amend the 1988 Regulations will be:

• Removing certain baby products from the scope to address concerns about exposure to chemical flame retardants of young children without compromising fire safety. (A list of the products being removed from scope has been included in Annex A)
• Removing the requirement to attach display labelling to reduce burdens on businesses.

In the coming months, the government will further work with stakeholders on the key themes within the policy paper before setting out final policy positions and a roadmap for implementing new regulations.

ANNEX A – Full list of baby and children’s products to be removed from scope of the FFRs.

a. Mattresses intended for use by babies and children, if the length is less than 170 cm and the width is less than 75 cm
b. Modular mattresses intended for use by babies and children, if the largest component has a length of less than 170 cm and a width of less than 75 cm
c. Upholstery designed to be used with baby furniture
d. Playpens
e. Car seats
f. Play mats
g. Baby changing mats
h. Prams, pushchairs, buggies and strollers
i. Carry cots, bassinets, Moses baskets, travel cots, cribs and cradles
j. Cot bumpers
k. Upholstered bed-side barriers intended to be used to prevent a child falling out of bed
l. Baby rockers and bouncers
m. Baby nests
n. Baby highchairs and low chairs
o. Chair-mounted and table-mounted children’s booster seats
p. Baby walkers

[1] Policy paper

[2] Summary of consultation responses

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