Great Britain: Amendments to Furniture and Furnishings Regulations 2025

 

Great Britain has announced amendments to Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which concern upholstered furniture.

The FFRs, as amended in 1989, 1993 and 2010, sets fire safety levels for domestic upholstered furniture. They were introduced to respond to the increasing number of UK furniture fire-related deaths in the home from the 1960s to the 1980s, as cheaper but more flammable materials were replacing naturally fire-resistant materials in furniture making.

The proposed draft statutory instrument will amend the FFRs in the following ways:

• Amend the scope of products to which the FFRs apply, notably exclude certain baby and children’s products from scope of the FFRs. A full list of products that will be excluded by the statutory instrument are provided in the notified document;
• Remove the requirement for manufacturers to affix a display label to new products; and
• Extend the time frame for instituting legal proceedings from 6 – 12 months.

The amended regulations will apply UK-wide, as the current regulations do.

In general, regulations for upholstered furniture focus on safety, durability, and environmental impact. Many countries have fire safety standards, such as the UK’s Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations, requiring resistance to ignition. In the U.S., the California Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117-2013) sets flammability standards. Additionally, regulations may restrict harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and certain flame retardants. Labels often indicate compliance, ensuring consumer awareness. Manufacturers must adhere to testing and certification processes to meet legal requirements and ensure public safety.

To find out more about regulations for upholstered furniture, please do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute.