§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to be in a position to respond to the concerns of the British Self-Catering Federation with regard to EC proposals on material content in furniture and associated issues; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 27 January 1992]The Commission decided, in May 1991, to suspend work on the draft EC directive on the fire behaviour of upholstered furniture pending further research into the fire characteristics of materials used in furniture and into test methods. The objective of this research is to support requirements imposing limits on the burning behaviour of upholstered furniture and the associated emission of smoke and toxic gases. We have made it clear to the Commission that we will retain our furniture regulations until a regime consistent with the level of protection in the United Kingdom is available under the directive.
The application of the United Kingdom's Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations to self-catering holiday accommodation has necessitated a wide ranging review of the legal position with the involvement of other Departments. I am consulting with colleagues about a possible way forward and I hope to be able to make some positive proposals shortly.