Home News Regulatory Update: Changes to Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations Now in Effect

News Article

Regulatory Update: Changes to Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations Now in Effect

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has confirmed that the initial amendments to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, introduced via the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, came into effect on Thursday, 30 October 2025.

These changes include:

  • Removal of certain baby and children’s products from the scope of the regulations
  • Elimination of the requirement for manufacturers to affix display labels to new products
  • Extension of the legal proceedings window from 6 to 12 months

Guidance outlining the amendments and their implications for businesses is available on the GOV.UK website. 

The Government continues to develop plans for broader, long-term reforms and will issue further updates in due course.

You may be interested in
entries related to...

Flammability
69 Entries

  • Irish Flammability Regulations Update

    Irish Flammability Regulations Update

    News June 2025

    Government Consultation open until 11 July 2025

  • Flam Regulations Changes 2025: Implications for Children's Products

    Flam Regulations Changes 2025: Implications for Children's Products

    News June 2025

    Some baby and children's products will be exempt, but they must still meet the requirements of the GPSR

  • New Flam Regs Update - FFFSR Amendment 2025 Laid in Parliament

    New Flam Regs Update - FFFSR Amendment 2025 Laid in Parliament

    News May 2025

    OPSS will continue targeted stakeholder engagement, focusing on the outstanding issues

  • New Flam Regs - OPSS Publish Policy Paper

    New Flam Regs - OPSS Publish Policy Paper

    News January 2025

    See the next steps the government is taking in the review of the flammability regulations

  • The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations Amendment 2025

    The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations Amendment 2025

    News January 2025

    The government is taking immediate action to amend the regulations

  • Update on the new proposed 'Fire Safety of Domestic Upholstered Furniture Regulations'

    Update on the new proposed 'Fire Safety of Domestic Upholstered Furniture Regulations'

    News June 2024

    Impact following the dissolution of Parliament

  • Research Association members respond to Government Flammability Regulations Consultation

    Research Association members respond to Government Flammability Regulations Consultation

    News October 2023

    Collective member feedback on the 19 questions raised in the Government consultation

  • Flammability Regulations Consultation Update – OPSS responds to questions

    Flammability Regulations Consultation Update – OPSS responds to questions

    News October 2023

    Answers from Government regarding questions raised by members at our Flammability Consultation Forums

  • Important update: UK domestic flammability regulations consultation is now live

    Important update: UK domestic flammability regulations consultation is now live

    News August 2023

    The latest on the consultation and our plans to hold member-only Forums to gain collective feedback

  • Flammability Checklist for Products Guidance

    Flammability Checklist for Products Guidance

    Knowledge Hub

    Checklist to help companies identify that products have the correct test certification to comply with the UK Flammabilit...

  • Flammability Checklist for Products Guidance now available for members

    Flammability Checklist for Products Guidance now available for members

    News March 2023

    Resource to help with checking that a product has been tested to the correct flammability standard(s)

  • Flammability technical forum documents now available

    Flammability technical forum documents now available

    News September 2022

    Output from the forum is now available to all members

  • Flammability Tracker Template

    Flammability Tracker Template

    Knowledge Hub

    Furniture Flammability testing tracker to help you manage your flammability testing responsibilities

  • New Flammability Tracker Template available to members

    New Flammability Tracker Template available to members

    News August 2022

    Supporting members in demonstrating compliance to the relevant fire performance or flammability requirements

  • 'Characteristics of modern domestic fire scenarios'

    'Characteristics of modern domestic fire scenarios'

    News June 2022

    This forms part of the current review into the UK domestic flammability regulations

  • New Approach ...to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations

    New Approach ...to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations

    News January 2022

    Fourth in a series of newsletters from OPSS is now available

  • The Irish Fire Safety Regulations for Upholstered Furniture Update

    The Irish Fire Safety Regulations for Upholstered Furniture Update

    News July 2021

    Further guidance and clarity from the Irish authorities is needed

  • FIRA and Trading Standards confirm flammability requirements for office work chairs used in a domestic environment

    FIRA and Trading Standards confirm flammability requirements for office work chairs used in a domest...

    News May 2021

    The guidance covers four ‘scenarios’ and clarifies whether the FFFSR would fully apply, alongside the role of the GPSR

  • New Approach … to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations

    New Approach … to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations

    News May 2021

    As part of the review of the UK domestic flammability regulations, OPSS share updates on the project

  • Flammability Guidance for Contract Seating: Fire Safety of Office Work Chairs in Domestic Environments

    Flammability Guidance for Contract Seating: Fire Safety of Office Work Chairs in Domestic Environmen...

    Knowledge Hub

    In conjunction with Trading Standards, clarifies whether the FFFSR would fully apply in four scenarios

  • Meeting the requirements of the Irish Fire Safety Regulations

    Meeting the requirements of the Irish Fire Safety Regulations

    News May 2021

    The BFC, BRC and UKTLF are working together on guidance for the industry on the differences between the two sets of Regu...

  • Upholstered furniture supplied to ROI must now meet Irish regulations, not UK regulations

    Upholstered furniture supplied to ROI must now meet Irish regulations, not UK regulations

    News April 2021

    This is a change in advice previously received and must be implemented with immediate effect

  • The 'why' and 'how' of flammability testing for domestic and contract Furniture’ playback

    The 'why' and 'how' of flammability testing for domestic and contract Furniture’ playback

    News March 2021

    Replay available to all members via our service provider, FIRA International

  • Webinar: Demystifying the flammability regulations

    Webinar: Demystifying the flammability regulations

    News February 2021

    Playback available, which centers on regulations for furniture and beds, across domestic and contract markets

  • UK / Ireland flammability regulations clarification

    UK / Ireland flammability regulations clarification

    News February 2021

    Upholstered furniture that meets UK fire safety regulations will continue to be accepted in Ireland post Brexit

  • Fire safety of contract seating in domestic settings - News - The Furniture Industry Research Association - Feb -2021

    Fire safety of contract seating in domestic settings - News - The Furniture Industry Research Associ...

    News February 2021

    Draft guidance document on the fire safety of contract seating in domestic environments to be produced

  • Clarifications from Trading Standards regarding contract chairs in a domestic environment

    Clarifications from Trading Standards regarding contract chairs in a domestic environment

    News January 2021

    Clarification relates to 'legacy’ chairs (marketed pre-pandemic), contract chairs (marketed post-pandemic) and mesh back...

  • New approach …to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 2021

    New approach …to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 2021

    News January 2021

    January newsletter from OPSS

  • Fire safety of contract seating in domestic settings - News - The Furniture Industry Research Association - Jan- 2021

    Fire safety of contract seating in domestic settings - News - The Furniture Industry Research Associ...

    News January 2021

    We've set up a cross sector steering group to establish clear guidelines that can be applied to office chairs used in th...

  • Contract flammability regulations are the fifth and final training session for members

    Contract flammability regulations are the fifth and final training session for members

    News December 2020

    Gives high level overview of the regs and address some of the main queries

  • Introduction to Fire Safety of Furniture and Furnishings in the Contract Sector Training

    Introduction to Fire Safety of Furniture and Furnishings in the Contract Sector Training

    Knowledge Hub

    Recorded training providing a high level overview of the contract flammability regulations

  • Consumer attitudes to fire safety information on furniture

    Consumer attitudes to fire safety information on furniture

    News October 2020

    Results from The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) research

  • Domestic flammability regulations are the focus of a new training session

    Domestic flammability regulations are the focus of a new training session

    News September 2020

    Includes requirements, responsibilities, testing and labelling

  • Introduction to the Domestic Flammability Regulations Training

    Introduction to the Domestic Flammability Regulations Training

    Knowledge Hub

    Recorded training to help you understand the fire safety regulations for household furniture

  • Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended

    Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended

    News August 2020

    Due to Covid-19 OPSS have been revising their timetable and does not expect to have new regulations ready until 2022

  • Implications of providing office/contract chairs for employees who are working at home

    Implications of providing office/contract chairs for employees who are working at home

    News July 2020

    Clarification from OPSS: do office chairs in the home need to comply with the FFFSR if they've been tested to BS 7176: 2...

  • Implications of providing office/contract chairs for employees who are working at home

    Implications of providing office/contract chairs for employees who are working at home

    Knowledge Hub

    Clarification from the OPSS (Office for Product Safety Standards) via the Hertfordshire Trading Standards Office (TS), t...

  • Interim enforcement policy for mattresses and mattress pads

    Interim enforcement policy for mattresses and mattress pads

    News March 2020

    CPSC’s Office of Compliance is revising the Interim Enforcement Policy

  • California AB2998 and ASTM E05 Fire Committee

    California AB2998 and ASTM E05 Fire Committee

    News December 2019

    California regulation prohibiting flame retardant chemicals in upholstered furniture

  • BS 7176 compliance: Guide for manufacturers seeking to claim compliance

    BS 7176 compliance: Guide for manufacturers seeking to claim compliance

    Knowledge Hub

    The route for claiming compliance with BS 7176 - Specification for resistance to ignition of upholstered furniture for n...

  • Furniture Fire Safety​

    Furniture Fire Safety​

    News November 2019

    Key point: upholstered furniture has a significant impact on domestic house fires

  • Westbridge recognised as ‘certified company’ under fire compliance scheme

    Westbridge recognised as ‘certified company’ under fire compliance scheme

    News June 2019

    Three of Westbridge’s UK production sites were assessed during audit process

  • Whitemeadow achieve ‘Certified Company’ status under compliance scheme

    Whitemeadow achieve ‘Certified Company’ status under compliance scheme

    News March 2019

    Compliance Scheme includes upholstery manufacturers, retailers and suppliers.

  • ACL 2002 LTD gain ‘Certified Company’ status under fire compliance scheme

    ACL 2002 LTD gain ‘Certified Company’ status under fire compliance scheme

    News January 2019

    Part of the process to become a ‘Certified Company’ was an in-depth audit

  • Mobus first fabric supplier to gain ‘Certified Company’ status under compliance scheme

    Mobus first fabric supplier to gain ‘Certified Company’ status under compliance scheme

    News January 2019

    They underwent thorough audit of processes and procedures

  • Interim policy for mattresses and mattress pads

    Interim policy for mattresses and mattress pads

    News January 2019

    Policy for mattresses subject to 16 CFR part 1632

  • Buoyant Upholstery gain ‘Certified Company’ status under fire compliance scheme

    Buoyant Upholstery gain ‘Certified Company’ status under fire compliance scheme

    News November 2018

    “Compliance and Safety is always at the forefront at everything we do"

  • Lebus Upholstery become first independent manufacturer to gain ‘Certified Company’ status under fire compliance scheme

    Lebus Upholstery become first independent manufacturer to gain ‘Certified Company’ status under fire...

    News August 2018

    The audit demonstrated that Lebus Upholstery have robust processes and procedures in place.

  • DFS gain further ‘Certified Company’ status under upholstery compliance scheme

    DFS gain further ‘Certified Company’ status under upholstery compliance scheme

    News May 2018

    Furniture manufacturers, DFS Furniture Company Ltd, has achieved ‘Certified Company’ status under the Furniture Industry...

  • New 'Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture'

    New 'Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture'

    News February 2018

    The new Compliance Scheme has been in operation for a month, and the first two companies to gain Certified Company statu...

  • DFS gain ‘Certified Company’ status under new fire compliance scheme

    DFS gain ‘Certified Company’ status under new fire compliance scheme

    News February 2018

    ​Furniture retailer DFS​ has gained ‘Certified Company’ status under the Furniture Industry Research Association’s (FIRA...

  • Advances in the substitution of Hazardous Flame Retardants In Home Textiles

    Advances in the substitution of Hazardous Flame Retardants In Home Textiles

    News January 2018

    FIRA recently attended a meeting in Brussels that outlined the scope of an EU funded project promoting research into red...

  • ScS first UK retailer to achieve Certified Company status under new FIRA Compliance Scheme

    ScS first UK retailer to achieve Certified Company status under new FIRA Compliance Scheme

    News January 2018

    ScS​, one of the UK’s leading furniture and flooring specialists, has become the first national furniture retailer to ac...

  • Compliance Scheme benefits for manufacturers

    Compliance Scheme benefits for manufacturers

    FIRA Compliance Scheme benefits for manufacturers, Compliance scheme for the Fire performance of upholstered furniture, ...

  • How to join the FIRA Flammability Compliance Scheme

    How to join the FIRA Flammability Compliance Scheme

    Compliance scheme for the Fire performance of upholstered furniture, furniture flammability compliance scheme

  • European Chemical Agency calls for evidence on flame retardants used in polyurethane foams

    European Chemical Agency calls for evidence on flame retardants used in polyurethane foams

    News December 2017

    The European Chemical Agency (ECHA), with support from the Danish EPA, has recently published a draft screening report w...

  • FIRA Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture

    FIRA Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture

    Scheme for companies to show their commitment and compliance with the UK furniture fire safety Regulations

  • Compliance Scheme benefits for retailers

    Compliance Scheme benefits for retailers

    Benefits for retailers, Compliance scheme for the Fire performance of upholstered furniture, furniture flammability comp...

  • BFC Proposal for updating UK Flammability Regulations - June 2017

    BFC Proposal for updating UK Flammability Regulations - June 2017

    Knowledge Hub

    Summary of the British Furniture Confederation’s Proposed Revision of Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regula...

  • The use of fire retardants

    The use of fire retardants

    News April 2017

    On 11 April The British Furniture Confederation (BFC) released a statement about the use of fire retardant chemicals in ...

  • ​​Consultation on updating Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations

    ​​Consultation on updating Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations

    News September 2016

    FIRA was informed yesterday that the Government has re-started the consultation into a potential revision of the fire sa...

  • Government update on the revision of the UK furniture flammability regulations

    News January 2016

    ​On the 19th of January we received the following communication from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills:

  • ​Report into current and alternative flame retardant technologies for furniture and furnishings

    ​Report into current and alternative flame retardant technologies for furniture and furnishings

    News December 2015

    Cause for concern over the potential toxicity of some flame retardant chemicals has prompted the UK's largest furniture ...

  • The potential impact of flame retardants on the 'end of life' of upholstered furniture and furnishings

    The potential impact of flame retardants on the 'end of life' of upholstered furniture and furnishin...

    Knowledge Hub

    This report investigates the impact of the presence of flame retardants on the furniture industry in relation to the dis...

  • How do flame retardant chemicals impact on recycling furniture?

    News October 2015

    ​A report into the impact the use of flame retardant (FR) chemicals in upholstered furniture has on its disposal and rec...

  • Current and Alternative Flame Retardants for Upholstered Furniture

    Current and Alternative Flame Retardants for Upholstered Furniture

    Knowledge Hub

    The use of flame retardants in furniture and furnishings is of great significance, especially in the UK, where fire safe...

  • Flammability Testing: Best Practice Guide (FRQG)

    Flammability Testing: Best Practice Guide (FRQG)

    Knowledge Hub

    Guide to help manufacturers and suppliers of upholstery and components to identify the flammability testing requirements...

  • Contract Flammability Guide: Fire Safety of Furniture and Furnishings in the Non-domestic Sectors

    Contract Flammability Guide: Fire Safety of Furniture and Furnishings in the Non-domestic Sectors

    Knowledge Hub

    This guide intends to clarify the regulations and explain the requirements for non-domestic furniture and furnishings, o...

  • Flammability Guide: Fire Safety of Furniture and Furnishings in the Home

    Flammability Guide: Fire Safety of Furniture and Furnishings in the Home

    Knowledge Hub

    This guide outlines the UK Furniture and Furnishings Flammability Regulations and the responsibilities of different orga...