Standards Update - domestic and contact furniture
BSI committee FW0/2 - the committee responsible for domestic and contract furniture standards recently met. The main business of the meeting was:
- Approval of the European Standard - EN 12520 - requirements for domestic seating. The UK approved this standard, and it has now been confirmed as a European Standard, and will shortly be published by BSI.
- Comments on draft European Standard - prEN 13759 - test methods for mechanisms for convertible sofa bed mechanisms and reclining chairs.
Whilst the UK agreed with the document in general, there are concerns that the loads used are not high enough to represent real life, and these concerns have been passed back to Europe. - Discussions relating to the use of BS 8509 - Junior and toddler beds
There have been some issues using this standard, and these problems were raised with the committee. A number of products are on the market that do not comply to this standard and this is causing problems for retailers. A balance of potential risk and accident history needs to applied to the products and the standard. The issues will be discussed more fully at a meeting in March and it is likely that there will be agreement for a slight amendment to the standard.
If you would like more information on any of the above issues please contact FIRA.
