Government launches consultation on fire safety of upholstered furniture

The UK government has launched a consultation on proposed reforms to the fire safety regulations governing domestic upholstered furniture.

Issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and the Department for Business and Trade, the consultation seeks input from industry stakeholders on a new regulatory approach designed to maintain high levels of fire safety while supporting environmental and innovation objectives.

The current Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations were introduced in 1988 and have played a significant role in improving household fire safety. However, the government says the framework now requires updating to reflect advances in fire science, materials and manufacturing processes.

The proposed reforms aim to create a more proportionate and evidence-based system, reducing reliance on chemical flame retardants while ensuring that products remain safe for consumers.

The government has stated that the reforms are intended to strike an appropriate balance between maintaining fire safety standards, reducing environmental impact and enabling innovation across the furniture sector.

The proposals also seek to bring the UK’s approach more closely in line with international practices.

Businesses, trade bodies, consumer groups and other interested parties are invited to submit their views as part of the consultation process. Responses will be used to inform the development of final regulations.

The deadline for responses is 23 June 2026.

To respond to the consultation, click here.