Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations

Timeline

Photo by: Fidra

1979
Major furniture fire at department store in Manchester (UK) results in 10 fatalities and 6 injured firefighters

The fire was started after a damaged electrical cable ignited furniture made of polyurethane foam, which produced large amounts of thick toxic smoke. There were 10 fatalities and 6 injured firefighters.

1988
The UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 came into force
1995
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) began research on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
1997
The governing council of the UNEP initiated international action 19/13 C to protect human health and the environment through measures which will reduce and/or eliminate emissions and discharges of persistent organic pollutants
2001
The International treaty Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was signed by the UK Government
2005
The Stockholm Convention entered into force for the UK
2009
A statistical report investigating the effectiveness of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 is published

The report was commissioned by UK Government Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).

2011
UK Government BIS confirm the need to update Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations to ensure safety levels are maintained
2014
UK Government BIS consultation on Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988

Amendments to the UK’s furniture flammability laws to improve safety, make UK furniture greener and bring savings to industry proposed. There were 113 responses to the consultation.

2015
No action on proposed amendments confirmed by UK Government BIS

Changes to the UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 flammability testing regime considered instead.

2016
UK Government Department for Business, energy & industrial strategy (BEIS) consultation

Furniture and furnishings fire safety regulations: proposed changes (2016). There were 126 responses to the consultation.  

2017
The European Parliament introduced regulations concerning POPs, including recognition of DecabromodiphenyI ether (DecaBDE) as a POP

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 includes DecaBDE restrictions.

2019
Inquiry into the impact of toxic chemicals in everyday life launched
DecaBDE was phased out of use in upholstered furniture in the UK
EU Regulation 2019/1021 introduced on persistent organic pollutants (PE/61/2019/REV/1)
Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life report published by House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee

‘The 1988 Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations have been under review for ten years with no reforms enacted. During this time, some of the most commonly used flame retardants have been classed as persistent organic pollutants and substances of very high concern. Inaction has allowed unnecessary and potentially toxic…
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UK Government BEIS responds to the 2016 public consultation

The BEIS confirm they will develop an outcome focused approach based on a set of essential safety requirements for upholstered furniture and furnishings.

2023
The Environment Agency released guidance on the management of waste upholstered searing (WUDS) containing POPs
Peer-reviewed Environment International Journal published paper ‘A new consensus on reconciling fire safety with environmental & health impacts of chemical flame retardants’

The paper provided clear policy recommendations that would lead to safer and more effective fire safety measures.

UK Government Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) launched consultation on potential amendments to the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) regulation
UK Government Department for Business and Trade, Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) commissioned independent research report ‘Fire Risks of Upholstered Products’ published
UK Government Department for Business and Trade, OPSS launched public consultation: Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture

Fidra’s response to the public consultation can be found here.

Fidra published ‘An industry consensus on the shortcomings of UK furniture fire safety practices and the impacts of chemical flame retardants on product circularity, industry innovation, and public and environmental health’
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) released guidance on the management of WUDS containing POPs