The Office for Product Safety & Standards has issued a call for final views on the comprehensive reform of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 23 June 2026. It seeks views on important reforms to how it regulates the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture.
It follows the Government’s policy paper The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, published in January 2025, in which it’s committed to move forward with reform plans and work with stakeholders to find resolutions to some of longstanding challenges in this sector.
The proposals reflect the policy aim to maintain a high level of fire safety while meaningfully reducing chemical flame retardant use. They reflect the large volume of stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering that has taken place over a number of years.
The Government will:
- Introduce new furniture fire safety requirements based on a smoulder test.
- Put in place pragmatic testing solutions to facilitate innovation.
- Make proportionate scope adjustments.
The proposed policy remains subject to review and may change as a result of the evidence and views provided by stakeholders in response to this consultation.
For more information and/or to respond, click here.
