Skip to main content

Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench) on Thursday, 2 May 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 17 May 2019. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 May 2019 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.


Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are provided in product safety legislation to ensure that flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings are safe for everyday use.

Answer

Chemicals, including flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings, are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). This aims to provide a high level of protection for health and the environment from the use of chemicals including those used in products.

In order to comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.

All furniture must also comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and be safe before it can be placed on the market.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15517
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Furniture Safety Fire resistant materials
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk