Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks posed by volatile chemical flame retardants that off-gas from upholstered furniture into household dust.

Furniture manufacturers must ensure they only place safe products on the UK market. Any chemical flame retardants used in furniture must comply with all relevant UK chemical regulations, including UK REACH.

While the evidence of negative health impacts from chemical flame retardants in furniture is limited, the Government recognises concern about their widespread use. The consultation ‘Product regulation: fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’ proposes reforming the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, which set flammability requirements for upholstered furniture, to maintain a high level of fire safety while meaningfully reducing the use of chemical flame retardants.