Second-hand Furniture

HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 c538W

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that second-hand furniture may be sold only if it bears a "Fire Resistant" label. [14316]

Mr. John M. Taylor

I do not believe it is necessary specifically to require second-hand furniture to bear labels indicating fire resistance. Since 1 March 1993, the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, as amended, have prohibited in the UK sale, in the course of a business, of second-hand furniture that does not meet the full requirements of this legislation. Trading standards departments have all the necessary powers to take action against traders who sell non-compliant items.

The regulations also require permanent labels, indicating compliance, to be attached to all new furniture. Purchasers of second-hand furniture should look for these permanently affixed labels.