BFC Executive Meeting (18 October 2023 and 20 November 2023)
The BFC Executive met on 18 October 2023 and discussed upcoming key political developments including the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023 and Autumn Statement on 22 November. The BFC Executive discussed two important consultations, the Smarter Regulation: Fire Safety of Domestic Upholstered Furniture consultation and, the Smarter Regulations and the Regulatory Landscape Consultation. The BFC Executive also discussed the policy positioning papers to enable the BFC to campaign for policy change in the run-up to the General Election expected in 2024.
The BFC Executive met again on 20 November 2023 and discussed their response to the Smarter Regulation: Fire Safety of Domestic Upholstered Furniture consultation. The recent ministerial reshuffle was examined, noting that most key stakeholders relevant to the industry stayed in post. The outcome of the King’s Speech and anticipated announcements in the Autumn Statement were also discussed. The Executive also examined an issue relating to the exclusion of the furniture sector from the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETIIs) list that offers energy support to eligible sectors and agreed to raise this at the next APPFIG Meeting.
APPFIG Meetings (11 December 2023)
The APPFIG has agreed to meet on 11 December 2023 and will discuss key developments relevant to the sector including the Smarter Regulation: Fire Safety of Domestic Upholstered Furniture consultation, energy support for the sector and the Group’s plans for 2024.
The APPFIG have also extended an invitation to meet with Kevin Hollinrake MP, the minister at DBT with responsibility for flammability regulations.
Ongoing engagement with Government Departments
The BFC has continued to liaise with Civil Servants in the Department of Business and Trade (formerly BEIS) to ensure that industry concerns and issues are brought to the immediate attention of ministers. These have included labour shortages, business rates relief, the future of the super-deduction capital allowance, skills and training, the cost of energy, and supply chain challenges.
Flammability Regulations
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (amended 1989, 1993 and 2010) are UK law and designed to ensure that upholstery components and composites used for furniture supplied in the UK meet specified ignition resistance levels.
On 2 August 2023, the Office for Product Safety and Standards and the Department for Business and Trade published a consultation document entitled “Smarter Regulation: Fire Safety of Domestic Upholstered Furniture.”
The consultation proposes changes in various aspects of fire safety regulations for domestic upholstered furniture, including scope, essential safety requirements, conformity assessment, labelling, technical documentation, implementation timeline, and measures to reduce chemical flame retardants. The consultation closed on 24 October 2023.
This was discussed at the BFC Executive Meeting on 18 October 2023 and 20 November 2023 and will be discussed at the upcoming APPFIG meeting on 11 December 2023. The BFC Executive responded as one organisation, and the individual trade association members also responded individually.
Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETIIs) scheme issue
The BFC Executive has discussed the role of SIC Codes in deciding on what parts of the industry gain support to reduce energy costs. The furniture industry has been left out of the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETIIs) scheme due to their use of ineligible SIC Codes.
The BFC Executive agreed to raise this at the APPPFIG Meeting on 11 December 2023 and discuss what action needs to be taken at both government and industry levels.