pinfa responded to the UK government consultation on the revision of the UK Furniture Fire Safety Regulations.
pinfa indicated agreement with most of the proposed modifications to the Regulations, which aim to clarify the scope, facilitate regulation enforcement and enable more flexible design routes to achieving fire safety. pinfa noted that testing should simulate the real-life situation of furniture in use where fabrics cannot over time be guaranteed to remain always closely held to foams (without air able to feed a possible fire) and barriers may be damaged or pierced. Barriers should also protect the rear and underneath of furniture, which may be exposed to heat sources such as electrical faults. pinfa suggests that in addition to modifying the Furniture Regulations, the UK authorities should seek to identify and ensure the use of flame retardants with better environment and health profiles and to encourage the labelling of furniture using flame retardants conform to independent labels or standards (e.g. OekoTex 100) or approved for e.g. skin contact.
“pinfa comments on the “Consultation on updating the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations” by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BIES), 10th November 2016. All responses to this public consultation will be published by BIES at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/furniture-and-furnishing-fire-safety-regulations-proposed-changes-2016