Consumer Agency Proposes Furniture Fabric Flammability Standard
James A. Morrissey, Washington Correspondent
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published its proposal for an upholstered
furniture flammability standard that is causing considerable concern among US textile
manufacturers. The proposed standard would establish performance requirements and a certification
and labeling program. Under the proposal, manufacturers of upholstered furniture could choose one
of two means of compliance: They could use cover materials that are sufficiently smolder-resistant
to meet a cigarette ignition performance test; or place fire barriers that meet smoldering and open
flame resistance tests between the cover fabric and the interior filling materials. Furniture
manufacturers would be required to certify compliance with the standard and to meet certain
record-keeping requirements.
Fire marshals have expressed their concern that the proposed standard does not effectively
address the hazard of burning and smoldering foam padding, and US textile manufacturers say the
approach being taken could be costly to consumers and adversely affect the styling, design and
comfort of furniture.
The CPSC estimates the proposal would affect some 1,600 manufacturers and importers,
including an estimated 100 to 200 textile manufacturers who derive a considerable share of their
revenues from upholstered furniture fabric.
The 2002-04 fire injury and damage data, the latest available from the US Fire
Administration's National Fire Incidence Reporting System, show upholstered furniture fires
annually result in 540 deaths, 870 injuries and $250 million in damage.
The commission will receive comments on the proposal until May 19.
In addition to the upholstered furniture rulemaking, the CPSC has issued a Federal Register
notice amending its long-standing standard for the flammability of textiles used in clothing. The
new rule will go into effect Sept. 22, 2008.
The CPSC says the standard originally issued in 1953 has become outdated in several respects,
and that the revisions better reflect current consumer practices and manufacturing technologies.
The standard describes a test apparatus and the procedures for classifying products by their degree
of flammability and risk to consumers. US textile manufacturers support the amendments for a
variety of reasons, including the fact that the new test procedures will improve the safety of
personnel in testing facilities.
The amendments apply to all products - whether they are for adults or children - and for
sleepwear or daywear.
The CPSC says the revisions are necessary to adequately protect the public against
"unreasonable risks" of fabric fires that lead to deaths, injuries or property damage. It says the
amendments to the standard are "reasonable, technologically practicable and appropriate."
The full text of the new flammable fabrics rule and the upholstered furniture rule-making
notice can be seen on the CPSC's website at
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frcom.html.
April 1, 2008