Citation, commencement, extent and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

(2) These Regulations come into force on the day after the expiry of a period of six months starting with the date on which they are laid before Parliament.

(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(4) In these Regulations “the 1988 Regulations” means the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988(2).

Amendments to the 1988 Regulations

2. The 1988 Regulations are amended in accordance with regulations 3, 4 and 5.

Removal of certain products from scope of the 1988 Regulations

3. In paragraph (1) of regulation 3 (interpretation), in the definition of “furniture” for sub-paragraph (a) substitute—

“(a)furniture of any description which is ordinarily intended for private use in a dwelling and—

(i)includes—

(aa)beds and divans (including the bases and headboards of both);

(bb)sofa-beds;

(cc)cushions;

(dd)mattresses and pillows;

(ii)does not include—

(aa)bedding or floor coverings (including carpets and mats);

(bb)mattresses intended for use by babies and children, if the length is less than 170 cm and the width is less than 75 cm;

(cc)modular mattresses intended for use by babies and children, if the largest component has a length of less than 170 cm and a width of less than 75 cm;

(dd)upholstery designed to be used with baby furniture;

(ee)play pens;

(ff)children’s car seats;

(gg)play mats;

(hh)baby changing mats;

(ii)prams, pushchairs, buggies and strollers;

(jj)cots, cribs and cradles, including carry cots, bassinets, Moses baskets, travel cots and bedside sleepers;

(kk)cot bumpers;

(ll)upholstered bed side barriers intended to be used to prevent a child falling out of bed;

(mm)baby rockers and bouncers;

(nn)baby nests;

(oo)baby highchairs and lowchairs;

(pp)chair-mounted and table-mounted children’s booster seats;

(qq)baby walkers;”.

Labelling

4.—(1) Omit regulation 10 (labelling requirements: display labels).

(2) In regulation 14 (second-hand furniture) omit paragraphs (3) and (4).

(3) Omit Schedules 6 and 8.

Insertion of regulation 16

5. After regulation 15 (prohibition on supply) insert—

Time limit for proceedings for offences

16.—(1)A magistrates’ court in England and Wales may try an information for a section 12 offence if the information was laid within twelve months from the time when the offence was committed.

(2)A magistrates’ court in Northern Ireland may try a complaint for a section 12 offence if the complaint was made within twelve months from the time when the offence was committed.

(3)Summary proceedings for a section 12 offence may be brought in Scotland at any time within twelve months from the time when the offence was committed.

(4)In this regulation “section 12 offence” means an offence against these Regulations under section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

(5)This regulation does not apply in relation to an offence committed before the coming into force of regulation 5 of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.”.