The Office for Product Safety & Standards has issued amended guidance on the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 2025, which come into effect on 30 October 2025. These updates follow a public consultation held between August and October 2023 and were confirmed by the Government in January 2025.
Key amendments include the removal of certain baby and children's products from the scope of the regulations, the elimination of the requirement for a display label on new furniture, and an extension of the legal timeframe to prosecute breaches from six to twelve months.
The exclusion of specific baby and children's items, such as mattresses, car seats, mats and play pens, is intended to reduce exposure to chemical flame retardants during early development stages. These items are considered to pose a lower fire risk and are less likely to be ignited by common sources such as cigarettes.
In terms of labelling, the updated regulations remove the obligation for manufacturers to attach a display label, also known as a swing tag, on new products. The permanent label, which contains all necessary compliance information, remains a requirement under regulation 11 of the 1988 regulations. Suppliers of second-hand furniture must still adhere to permanent labelling rules as specified in regulation 14.
Enforcement agencies across the UK will now have twelve months to initiate legal proceedings for offences under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, doubling the previous limit. The Government acknowledges the lack of a transition period but has clarified that businesses may still sell stock with display labels after the enforcement date, provided the labelling reflects accurate compliance.
Businesses across the furniture supply chain are urged to familiarise themselves with the amended regulations to maintain legal compliance.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com