Ignition of Upholstered Furniture by Small Open Flames and/or Smoldering Cigarettes; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Request for Comments and Information

Résumé

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) has found, based on available information, that a new flammability standard or other regulation may be needed for upholstered furniture products and for fabrics and related materials used in, or intended for use in, upholstered furniture, to protect the public against unreasonable risk of fire leading to death, personal injury, or significant property damage. The risk of fire addressed in today's advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) is from ignition of upholstered furniture by small open flames and/or smoldering cigarettes. This proceeding is being conducted under authority of the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA). In 1994, the Commission commenced a regulatory proceeding under the FFA addressing the risk of fire from ignition of upholstered furniture by small open flame sources such as matches, cigarette lighters, and candles. 59 FR 30735 (1994). This ANPR reflects the Commission's decision to expand that proceeding to explicitly address cigarette ignitions as well.\1\ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------