Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the presentation by the Office for Product Safety and Standards on The New Approach to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations at the Chemical Stakeholder Forum on 10 February 2021, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the evidence that those regulations provide fire safety with the Department's earlier conclusions on those regulations in 2014.

The Government recognises that the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 need to be updated to respond to developments in furniture design, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns whilst maintaining product safety protections.

In July 2019, the Government announced it would develop a new approach to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 based on outcomes with standards developed independently by the British Standards Institution.

The new approach was recommended following consultation with fire chiefs, the public, manufacturers, suppliers and advice from Chief Scientific Advisors from across Government.

Formal consultation on the new approach is currently planned for Spring 2022.