Key Takeaways:
- The UK’s furniture fire safety rules are outdated, dating back to 1988, and put people at risk from toxic materials.
- The use of toxic flame-retardant chemicals in sofas, mattresses, and upholstered furniture has been significantly reduced in Europe over the past 20-25 years.
- Consumers can still purchase secondhand furniture without knowing what chemicals it contains, posing a fire and toxicity risk.
- The government has failed to update rules despite repeated warnings and lobbying from MPs and experts.
- The issue is not just about fire safety, but also about environmental disposal and the release of toxic gases during burning.
Introduction to the Issue
The UK is still using extremely outdated furniture fire safety rules, which puts people at risk from toxic materials. According to Bob Blackman, the chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on fire safety, the government has failed to update rules that date back to 1988, leaving millions of households exposed to materials that exacerbate the release of dangerous fumes when they burn. This is a significant concern, as many of the chemical groups used in upholstered furniture have been linked to toxicity, persistence in the environment, and health concerns.
The Use of Toxic Flame-Retardant Chemicals
A number of chemical groups are used in upholstered furniture, mostly as flame retardants applied to foams, fabrics, and backing materials to help furniture meet the UK’s stringent ignition tests. However, many of these substances have been linked to toxicity, persistence in the environment, and health concerns, with the use of several restricted over time. Europe has undergone major reforms over the past 20 to 25 years that have significantly reduced the use of toxic flame-retardant chemicals in sofas, mattresses, and upholstered furniture. These changes were driven by health concerns, environmental evidence, and new understanding of how furniture actually behaves in real fires.
The Risk of Secondhand Furniture
While landlords are already required to ensure furnished rental properties meet basic fire safety rules, consumers can still purchase secondhand sofas, armchairs, and mattresses without any information about what chemicals they contain. This is a particular concern, as these everyday household items are kept for decades and can present fire and toxicity risks long after they are manufactured. Bob Blackman warns that secondhand furniture is of particular concern, as consumers can walk into a secondhand shop today and buy furniture without knowing the dangers associated with it. The cushioning materials used in domestic furniture are often the center of fire risk, and when they burn, the fumes can be toxic or even lethal.
The Need for Updated Regulations
Most domestic fires begin in living rooms, often triggered by heaters, candles, or smoking. The APPG argues that current rules fail to reflect the behavior of modern foams and fire-retardant chemicals, with experts long warning that many of them can be harmful. The Grenfell Tower fire intensified concern over the integrity of fire safety checks, and Blackman said that it exposed deep flaws in how fire-retardant materials are tested. Despite repeated meetings with ministers, the APPG says there has been "no meaningful progress" from the government. The MP noted that the responsible minister "left with a clear understanding that this issue urgently needs attention", but no updated regulations have been published.
Environmental Disposal and Toxic Gases
Another concern is environmental disposal, as many sofas and mattresses are incinerated or recycled, yet the fate of toxic gases released during burning remains unclear. If we incinerate these materials, what happens to the toxins? If we landfill them, what are the risks? The MP asked. Consumers buying secondhand items have no idea what chemicals they are bringing into their homes. Joanna Cloy, from the environmental charity Fidra, said that as well as increased smoke toxicity when flame retardant materials burn, there is the other pressing issue of exposure to toxic chemical flame retardants in our homes as they migrate out of our furniture over time.
The Need for Action
While the overall number of domestic fires has fallen in recent years, the MP warned that this should not breed complacency. We have allowed this issue to drift, he said. The dangers are well known, the evidence is clear, and the government must act. The UK’s chemical restrictions are lagging behind the EU’s chemical restrictions, and they must keep pace to address the ongoing failure to protect UK consumers from exposure to toxic chemical flame retardants used in furniture products. The government must take action to update the outdated furniture fire safety rules and ensure that consumers are protected from the risks associated with toxic flame-retardant chemicals.