Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of whether manufacturers not meeting the requirement to list the chemical constituents of flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings is a barrier to customers making informed decisions; and (2) whether by not meeting this requirement, the safe disposal or recycling of furniture which may contain banned chemicals is prevented.

The Government is reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 and has consulted on whether to introduce a specific requirement for furniture labels to stipulate any flame retardants used in their manufacture. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published in due course.

We are currently conducting behavioural insights research to develop a comprehensive understanding of consumer attitudes towards product safety including what assumptions consumers make about risk and safety.