Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the paragraph 52 of the Second Special Report of the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2019 on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life: Government Response to the Committee’s Twentieth Report of Session 2017-19, HC160, published on 30 October 2019, what recent progress his Department has made on developing revised regulations to replace the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the consultation conducted by the Office for Product Safety and Standards entitled, Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture on proposals for a new approach to the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, which closed on 24 October 2023.

Following the formation of the Government in July, the Department for Business and Trade is considering next steps for this important issue, including reviewing the evidence gathered from the 2023 consultation, Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture. The recommendations of the Environmental Audit Committee following the inquiry Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life formed part of the evidence base informing the consultation proposals. The Government will engage with consumer organisations, businesses, and other interested groups and provide updates in due course.