Lee Paxman, Managing Director at Mobus Fabrics, shares his thoughts on why he objects to the proposed reforms to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.
The Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) recently issued a call for final views on the comprehensive reform of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. Seeking views on important reforms to how it regulates the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, the consultation, which closes at 11:59pm on 23 June 2026, follows the Government’s policy paper ‘The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’, which was published in January 2025.
The proposals reflect the policy aim to maintain a high level of fire safety while meaningfully reducing chemical flame retardant use. However, for Mobus Fabrics, which recently completed a management buyout (MBO) with its senior leadership team, including Lee Paxman (MD), Sam Thornber (Sales Director) and Elliot Moody (Finance Director) taking full ownership of the business, the fabric supplier widely objects to the proposals.
In fact, Lee has written to the Government highlighting a number of issues, which includes flame testing, FR chemical types and how chemicals are applied, while sharing what Mobus is doing to reduce chemical use, as well as outlining his own proposals on the points raised.
“My first proposal to the OPSS is that greater understanding is needed into the recent increases in UK fire related deaths. Understanding these increases is essential before any fire safety standards are changed,” Lee said. “My second proposal is that they need to make parties aware that the removal of the flame test represents a reduction in the scope of ignition scenarios assessed under current regulation.”
In addition to the first two, Lee added that product recalls have increased over the last five years in relation to safety concerns – largely attributable to foam or fabric failing ignition tests. Furthermore, the domestic fire death rate has risen since 2020 from 243 to 271 in 2024/25 – although specific causes require further investigation.
“Rather than reducing the FR testing standards we should be identifying best practice, supporting innovation, and implementing new regulations to reduce chemicals whilst still maintaining fire safety testing standards,” Lee continued. “We have evidenced testing which shows future composite testing compliance can be achieved with non-FR foam covered in non-FR polyester fabrics.
“These composites have then been tested over an open flame and combust into a fire within 5 seconds, thus giving families no protection to open flames on upholstered furniture. The fire witnessed in testing has then spread rapidly across the test submit within 30 seconds, requiring to be forcibly extinguished by the technician.”
Lee added that all chemical free FR lamination fabric samples pass the flame test on both testing burns with all smoke ceasing within 15 seconds, no splits to the face fabric and no flame time on five out of six tests. The non-FR fabric samples failed all flame testing and had to be forcibly extinguished with water.
“My third proposal is that the OPSS should clearly distinguish between different FR chemicals used in sofa manufacturing,” Lee said. “Then outlining a chemical reduction strategy to remove those with the most risks and least rewards. A way of achieving this would be to follow the guidelines and recommendations of REACH or ECHA whilst testing remaining components under current testing guidelines to see if fire safety standards can be maintained.”
Mobus and other fabric suppliers have already been innovating to reduce chemicals. However, Lee wanted to highlight a potential misleading area with regards to FR chemicals. “We must point out to all parties that there is a huge variety of FR chemicals used in the furniture industry. To group all flame retardants as one singular group; is misleading. The chemicals used within furniture components vary tremendously in terms of chemical type, application method and their subsequent risk to consumers.
“The chemical appearing to cause all the concern seen so far is TCPP – which is a component used solely within the furniture foam. This chemical needs clearly isolating away from all other chemicals, binders, solvents, and fibre treatments which use very different chemicals and applications.
“Fabric flame-retardant finishes do not use TCPP – but they have been incorrectly associated and unfairly grouped. Fabric flame retardants use either Deca-Brominated systems or more latterly the development of more sustainable Phosphate-based systems, which Clarkson Coatings Ltd and Mobus Fabrics Ltd have proudly pioneered. These chemicals are locked into adhesive binders onto the reverse of the fabric and tested to ensure they are stable.
“The flame retardants used in upholstery fabrics all pass REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) compliance and have been appropriately deemed as safe for use in the UK. We follow very strict guidelines and testing remits to ensure we use the right chemicals, source from trusted suppliers, and have the correct due diligence and testing in place to ensure compliance.”
In addition, Mobus also uses new phosphates-based compounds which achieve Oeko-Tex Class 1 classification. “This is the most stringent level of testing, ensuring products are safe for babies and toddlers up to three years old. This tests for harmful substances, focusing on high skin sensitivity and saliva resistance,” Lee added.
Mobus has now launched seven chemical free fabrics, which pass all FR testing requirements and have no chemical applications to the reverse of the fabric. These are already on sale in major UK retailers and specified for several new models launching later this year. The company has also converted over 12 ranges for chemical reduction. These reduce the amount of chemical needed from around 90% to 40% by weight.
“The most successful development is our new chemical free woven lamination fabric which is made up of 50% Viscose (from sustainable sourced suppliers) and 50% recycled wool (made from disposed woollen jumpers),” Lee said. “This lamination is uniquely sustainable, versatile across multiple products and supports the circular economy. This is the future of fire safety and chemical free upholstery fabrics but it is not a universal application.
“Therefore, my fourth proposal is that the OPSS should accept the new chemical free FR innovations developed by forward thinking UK companies like Mobus in maintaining Fire Safety standards, not only in the UK but perhaps also lobbied in the EU for equal adoption in the future.”
The final point Lee raises are about implementing an appropriate timeline to avoid non-compliance. “If the flame test is removed, all FR chemicals can be removed from the back of 100% polyester fabrics. However, this will unlikely remove the chemical application, because most upholstery fabrics need some chemical binders, Lee said.
“Alternatively, the fabrics can be supplied without any additional finishing to further support end of life and recycling but this will then require additional manufacturing costs, design limitations and mixed fibre blends being un-recyclable.
“The fire-retardant chemical’s role in UK furniture manufacturing it goes beyond fire protection – so the process will need unwinding carefully to avoid non compliance to other UK fabric testing standards. Therefore, my fifth proposal is that a timeline of transition is agreed with UK furniture manufacturers so they have time to adopt to any news regulations. This will protect established UK businesses; help protect UK furniture manufacturing and the jobs within the sector.”
