UK Published the Amendments to The Regulations On The Fire Safety of Furniture

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Vol. 1475 | 07 May 2025

UK Publishes Amendments to Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 2025

Overview of the New Regulations

On 30th April 2025, UK government approved The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 under the Statutory Instruments 2025 No. 531.

The Regulations aimed to amend The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The Regulations will enter into force on 30th October 2025.

Revised Definition of Furniture and Product Exemptions

 The definition of “furniture” is changed. Furniture is ordinarily intended for private use in a dwelling and include beds and divans, sofa-beds, cushions, mattresses and pillows. The fire risk associated with certain baby and children’s products is significantly lower than that of other upholstered furniture, as they are not subject to the same likelihood of accidental ignition. Therefore, the following product types, which currently need to meet the regulations, will be exempt in future:

  • bedding or floor coverings (including carpets and mats)
  • mattresses intended for use by babies and children, if the length is less than 170 cm and the width is less than 75 cm
  • modular mattresses intended for use by babies and children, if the largest component has a length of less than 170 cm and a width of less than 75 cm
  • upholstery designed to be used with baby furniture
  • play pens
  • children’s car seats
  • play mats
  • baby changing mats
  • prams, pushchairs, buggies and strollers
  • cots, cribs and cradles, including carry cots, bassinets, Moses baskets, travel cots and bedside sleepers
  • cot bumpers
  • upholstered bed side barriers intended to be used to prevent a child falling out of bed
  • baby rockers and bouncers
  • baby nests
  • baby highchairs and lowchairs
  • chair-mounted and table-mounted children’s booster seats
  • baby walkers

Changes to Labelling Requirements

 The labelling requirements of display labels are removed while the labelling requirements of permanent labels are still effective. Besides, certain requirements of second-hand furniture are also removed.

Background and Purpose of the Regulations

The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 were introduced in the UK to reduce the risk of fire-related injuries and deaths caused by upholstered furniture and furnishings. These regulations set fire resistance standards for domestic furniture, ensuring products are safer for consumers.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Carl Tso

Assistant Manager - Regulatory, Hardlines

Carl is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the toy and hardline industries. Throughout his career, he has developed extensive expertise in navigating global regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance across diverse markets, including the European Union, the United States, Southeast Asia, South America, and beyond.

Email: carl.tso@intertek.com

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