Archived News Article
Latest Standards Update released
The Furniture Industry Research Association has published its latest Standards summary, which confirms the publication of three new standards; BS EN 1335-1: 2020 Office furniture - Office work chair. Part 1 Dimensions - Determination of dimensions, BS EN 14988: 2017 + A1: 2020 Children’s high chairs - Requirements and test methods and finally BS EN 13150: 2020 Workbenches for laboratories in educational institutions. Dimensions, safety and durability requirements.
Further sections within the Standards Update focuses on non-domestic tables and desks / office desks, non-domestic / office seating, non-domestic / office storage, educational, beds and mattresses, domestic seating, domestic tables, domestic storage, kitchens, outdoor furniture, children’s furniture, flammability, hardware, surface finishes and American Standards.
The Update also includes a wider look at matters affecting the furniture industry, including the Public Consultation on the Restriction of Formaldehyde Emissions. The consultation has now closed, with a suggestion that the limit used should be ½ (0.05mg/m3), which raises concerns in terms of UK and EU for testing of full sized consumer products. Further updates are expected to follow.
Another key topic covered is the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 as amended review which is underway. However, at this stage, the message is that the existing Regulations will continue to apply. The aim of any new regulation would be to maintain the current level of fire safety whilst enabling the reduction of FR chemicals, encouraging innovation and enabling enforcement. The Regulation is likely to exclude childcare products from the scope; include resistance to ignition and spread of fire; include labelling requirements to facilitate the circular economy; and is expected to remove the need for mandatory testing to prove compliance.
The latest Quarterly Standards Report is available to members of the Furniture Industry Research Association here.
The next Quarterly Standards Report is due in the autumn, which is likely to reflect output from standards meetings taking place online due to expected ongoing travel restrictions. Updates from these meetings will made available to FIRA members on an ongoing basis via the news pages.
