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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 whether all flame retardants currently in use in furniture and furnishings are safe.

Answer

Flame retardant chemicals are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). 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.

It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that any flame retardants they use are effective in meeting legal requirements for safety.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL15519
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Furniture Safety Fire resistant materials
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk