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1125844

registered interest
date	09/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the safety of the use of decabromodiphenyl ethane in UK furniture; and what advice, if any, they have received from (1) the European Chemicals Agency, (2) the Health and Safety Executive, and (3) the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment on the risks of using decabromodiphenyl ethane.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15634
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is currently reviewing the operation of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and is taking account of evidence and advice from external sources such as academic papers as well as the views of experts from across government, including Chief Scientific Advisors.</p><p> </p><p>All furniture must also comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and be safe before it can be placed on the market.</p><p> </p><p>DecaBDE is a persistent organic pollutant. The UK ceased production of this substance in 1996 and its use has declined sharply since then. Many other countries have also phased out its use. It was banned under the UN Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants in December 2018 and under the European chemical regulation regime, REACH, in March 2019. It will not be present in household soft furnishings and mattresses purchased after this ban comes into effect.</p><p> </p><p>Chemicals, including brominated flame retardants used in UK furniture, are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). REACH aims to provide a high level of protection for health and the environment from the use of chemicals including those used in products.</p><p> </p><p>In order to comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 20/05/2019 16:06:25 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1125848

registered interest
date	09/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to address the differences between the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15638
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/05/2019 answer text <p>The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 work in different ways but both aim to provide protection from fire risks.</p><p> </p><p>The Government’s review of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 aims to ensure they reflect changes in fire safety risks, and respond to developments in furniture design, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns while maintaining fire safety protections.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 21/05/2019 15:00:30 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1124888

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, further to the 2014 and 2016 consultations on Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations and the Technical Paper: Systematic Rationale for modification of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations in relation to Schedules 4 & 5, published in October 2014, which outlined the problems with the match test, they will now revoke that test.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15563
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 are being reviewed to ensure they reflect changed fire safety risks, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns of chemical flame retardants whilst maintaining product safety protections.</p><p> </p><p>The Department welcomes any innovative approaches that deliver consumer safety and comply with existing fire safety regulations, including methods which do not use flame retardants.</p><p> </p><p>The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation on the regulations in due course. This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley grouped question UIN HL15560 HL15561 HL15564 question first answered 14/05/2019 14:15:27 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1124889

registered interest
date	07/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have collected on the effectiveness of provision of safety of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 that differs to that included in their document Technical Paper: Systematic Rationale for modification of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations in relation to Schedules 4 & 5, published in October 2014; and if they have any such evidence, whether they will publish it.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15564
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 are being reviewed to ensure they reflect changed fire safety risks, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns of chemical flame retardants whilst maintaining product safety protections.</p><p> </p><p>The Department welcomes any innovative approaches that deliver consumer safety and comply with existing fire safety regulations, including methods which do not use flame retardants.</p><p> </p><p>The Department will publish its response to the 2016 consultation on the regulations in due course. This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley grouped question UIN HL15560 HL15561 HL15563 question first answered 14/05/2019 14:15:27 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1124649

registered interest
date	02/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures are provided in product safety legislation to ensure that flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings are safe for everyday use.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15517
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>Chemicals, including flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings, are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). This aims to provide a high level of protection for health and the environment from the use of chemicals including those used in products.</p><p> </p><p>In order to comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.</p><p> </p><p>All furniture must also comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and be safe before it can be placed on the market.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 14/05/2019 14:31:20 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1124650

registered interest
date	02/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of the University of Central Lancashire paper Flame retardants in UK furniture increase smoke toxicity more than reduce fire growth rate, published in December 2017; (2) whether they consulted the Government Chief Scientific Adviser in making any such assessment; and (3) whether they intend to review the efficacy of flame retardants which are currently on the market.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15518
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is currently reviewing the operation of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)( Safety) Regulations 1988 and will take account of evidence from external sources such as academic papers as well as the views of experts from across government, including Chief Scientific Advisors.</p><p> </p><p>It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that any flame retardants they use are effective in meeting legal requirements for safety.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 14/05/2019 14:35:15 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1124651

registered interest
date	02/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all flame retardants currently in use in furniture and furnishings are safe.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15519
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>Flame retardant chemicals are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). To comply with REACH, companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. They have to demonstrate how the substances can be safely used, and they must communicate the risk management measures to the users. If the risks cannot be managed, authorities can ban or restrict the use of substances.</p><p> </p><p>It is the responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that any flame retardants they use are effective in meeting legal requirements for safety.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 14/05/2019 14:35:39 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1124652

registered interest
date	02/05/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what assessment they have made of whether manufacturers not meeting the requirement to list the chemical constituents of flame retardants used in furniture and furnishings is a barrier to customers making informed decisions; and (2) whether by not meeting this requirement, the safe disposal or recycling of furniture which may contain banned chemicals is prevented.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL15520
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 and has consulted on whether to introduce a specific requirement for furniture labels to stipulate any flame retardants used in their manufacture. The Government’s response to the consultation will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p>We are currently conducting behavioural insights research to develop a comprehensive understanding of consumer attitudes towards product safety including what assumptions consumers make about risk and safety.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 14/05/2019 14:36:21 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar

1122747

registered interest
date	24/04/2019
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what scientific advice has been sought from environmental scientists by the Office for Product Safety and Standards as part of the review of the use of flame retardant chemicals in domestic upholstery.
tabling member constituency	Wakefield
tabling member printed	Mary Creagh
uin	246982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2019 answer text <p>The Government is reviewing the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988 to ensure they respond to developments in furniture design, innovation, manufacturing processes and environmental and health concerns while maintaining fire safety protections.</p><p> </p><p>We have also developed scientific and technical expertise within the Office for Safety and Standards and are taking account of the body of relevant scientific research, including engaging with environmental scientists and commissioning research from external sources. We have sought expert and scientific advice from a range of sources, including from leading fire safety experts, Government Chief Scientific Advisors, and British Standards Institution technical standards committees.</p> answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst question first answered 01/05/2019 16:03:12 answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst previous answer version 115582 answering member constituency Rochester and Strood answering member printed Kelly Tolhurst answering member 4487 label Biography information for Kelly Tolhurst
tabling member	1579 label Biography information for Mary Creagh

971902

registered interest
date	11/09/2018
answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept id	201
answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
hansard heading	Furniture: Fire Resistant Materials
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will publish their response to the September 2016 consultation on necessary fire safety changes to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988; and what account they will take of the December 2017 Chemosphere article Flame retardants in UK furniture increase smoke toxicity more than they reduce fire growth rate.
tabling member printed	The Countess of Mar
uin	HL10264
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/09/2018 answer text <p>The Department will publish its response to the consultation in due course.</p><p> </p><p>This will take account of the responses received, the views of experts from across government including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Health England, the Food Standards Agency and the Fire Services, as well as a range of evidence from external sources such as academic papers.</p> answering member printed Lord Henley question first answered 25/09/2018 13:23:19 answering member 2616 label Biography information for Lord Henley
tabling member	1861 label Biography information for The Countess of Mar