Archived News Article
Buoyant Upholstery gain ‘Certified Company’ status under fire compliance scheme
Leading UK upholstery manufacturer, Buoyant Upholstery Ltd, has been confirmed by the Furniture Industry Research Association as the latest company to gain Certified status under their ‘Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture’.
Despite being in place since 1988 the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations (FFFSR) are complex and require sophisticated management to demonstrate compliance. The Furniture Industry Research Association scheme aims to offer reassurance that a manufacturer, retailer, upholsterer or supplier of upholstered furniture has suitable processes and procedures in place to demonstrate due diligence compliance with FFFSR.
In order to become a Certified Company of the Compliance Scheme, Buoyant Upholstery’s manufacturing site was audited to ensure due diligence procedures covering all facets of production were not only in place, but were robust enough to meet the requirements of the FFFSR. This included checking their process management systems, control of materials, traceability, compliance testing, labelling and crisis management. In addition, as the scheme also has a co-ordinated Primary Authority Partnership with Hertfordshire Trading Standards, Buoyant can benefit from ‘Assured Advice’ providing interpretation of the FFFSR when needed.
Speaking on their new Certified Company status, Glen Ainsworth, Development Director at Buoyant Upholstery said “Compliance and Safety is always at the forefront at everything we do here at Buoyant Upholstery. The independent audit reviewed our materials, traceability, labelling and systems to ensure they comply with the requirements of the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations.
“As a member of FIRA we are pleased to have achieved Certified Company status under the Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture, which will also reassure our customers that both our approach and systems in relation to FR compliance are robust.”
Full details on the Research Association’s Compliance Scheme for the Fire Performance of Upholstered Furniture are available from www.fira.co.uk/compliance. Any organisations interested in becoming a Certified Company should contact FIRA on info@fira.co.uk or call +44 (0)1438 777 700.
