Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the health and environmental impacts of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants used in upholstered furniture; and whether they intend to update the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 to reduce reliance on such chemicals.

The Environment Agency has just published a flame retardant scoping review, which identifies flame retardant substances that are present on, or relevant to the GB market, including brominated and organophosphate flame retardants used in upholstered furniture. The review carried out a preliminary assessment of their potential impacts on the environment and an initial screen for human health effects (when exposed via the environment).

As set out in the policy paper, ‘The fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture’, published on 22 January 2025, the Government plans to reform the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 to maintain a high level of fire safety while facilitating a reduction in the use of chemical flame retardants.