FIRA continues to help shape Government policy for the UK furniture industry
FIRA is to become a member of the Advisory Group for the review of the Furniture and Furnishings (FIRE) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFR’s)
FIRA’s involvement further demonstrates its commitment to help shape government policy in relation to the UK furniture industry and to push up standards within the industry in the UK and abroad.
The Advisory Group will comprise technical experts, manufacturers, the fire services, test houses, consumer safety groups, etc and will work with Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) officials, reporting to a Steering Group, towards recommending the best option for the future of the FFR’s.
The report, carried out by Greenstreet Berman Ltd on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) revealed that the regulations are saving 54 lives each year and are also preventing 780 injuries and around 1000 fires per year. This equates to cost savings in the region of £140m per annum. The report provides clear evidence that these regulations are not only effective in saving lives but also in ensuring consumers can have confidence in the safety of the furniture that they buy.
Click here to view the report in full.
The review is needed because, while the FFRs are widely acknowledged to be very effective in saving lives and preventing injuries in domestic fires, they have not been reviewed since their implementation. Since then, there have been various innovations in products and manufacturing processes that do not clearly fall inside or outside the scope of the FFRs. Minister for Consumer Affairs, Kevin Brennan, has approved this review.
The two main objectives to the review are;
• To identify the current effectiveness of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFRs)
• To assess what benefits can be ascribed to each of the tests, in particular the Crib 5 test
This will enable the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to establish if the additional stringency of the flammability requirements in the FFRs, above that of the European provisions, continue to be effective and necessary.
If you have any issues with the current regulations that you would like considered for the possible revision of the FFRs, please contact FIRA and we will ensure that these are raised during the consultation process.
FIRA will endeavour to offer regular updates throughout the consultation process to ensure that the industry is fully informed of progress.
In addition, if you would like a copy of the Greenstreet Berman report please contact FIRA, or visit the BIS website.
