Policy paper: The Case for Flame Retardant Free Furniture

A variety of flammability standards for furniture exist in Europe. Some standards lead to the use of hazardous flame retardants chemicals without providing a demonstrated fire safety benefit. Flame retardants may cause serious harm to human health and the environment, they prevent the EU’s goal of a circular economy and impose a costly burden on furniture producers. ECOS, as one of the signatories of this paper, shares and stresses the same concerns about the implications of the presence of harmful flame retardants chemicals (FRs) in furniture products. More effective and less harmful ways to achieve fire safety exist and need to be evaluated. Increasing evidence shows that an EU-action in favour of flame retardant free furniture is necessary to ensure the protection of human health and the environment, and promote competition and fire safety.

Read the paper here.