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<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>
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