The Product Regulation and Metrology Bill was introduced to the UK parliament on 4 September 2024. It aims to update and modernise the UK product safety and metrology framework, derived from EU law, to respond to new technologies and business models, but does not include specific product safety rules.  The government has previously stated that it is reviewing several areas of product safety and this week, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued an update about the government's review of the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture.  It has also announced new legislation.

The policy paper sets out initial changes it will make to amend the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (FFRs), and its ongoing plans.

The FFRs were introduced in response to the increasing number of furniture fire-related deaths, and now require updating to keep pace with product innovation. Since 1988, evidence has also emerged of the risks associated with chemical flame retardants used to pass flammability tests.

The policy paper addresses six key themes and sets out the government's intentions for the implementation of a new regulatory approach. The six themes cover defining responsibilities, scope and definitions, product compliance requirements, information provision (product labelling and technical documentation), re-upholstery and second-hand, implementation, enforcement and statutory review and impacts.

The government will be taking immediate action to amend the FFRs. Changes to the existing legislation will be made as soon as parliamentary time allows and will take effect six months later, in line with  the UK's World Trade Organisation commitments. These changes are to:

• Remove certain baby and children's products from scope of the FFRs, where evidence supports their removal from scope. This will reduce babies' and children's exposure to certain chemicals where the risk of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is greater than the fire risk posed by those products. 
• Remove the requirement for manufacturers to affix a display label to new products, reflecting the limited value of the display label.
• Extend the time frame for instituting legal proceedings from six to twelve months, aiming to provide the right tools for effective enforcement.

The government will also be producing supporting guidance.  Furniture manufacturers and retailers should keep an eye on the progress of the legislation and watch out for the guidance.