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Written question asked by Valerie Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 September 2025 (named day). It was answered by Kate Dearden (Labour) on Monday, 15 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.


Furniture: Fire Prevention

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to update the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 to (a) remove chemical flame retardants, (b) provide additional support to furniture manufacturers, (c) improve fire safety, (d) increase recycling and (e) align with international best practice; and if she will publish a timetable for updating those regulations.

Answer

The policy paper ‘The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’, published on 22 January, set out that the Government is committed to delivering reforms to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 that maintain a high level of fire safety while facilitating a reduction in the use of chemical flame retardants.

The Department for Business and Trade has been carrying out extensive, targeted stakeholder engagement this year to inform decision making, and the Government will provide an update in due course.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
76246
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Fire prevention Furniture Regulation Fire resistant materials
Legislation
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk