Standard for the Flammability of Residential Upholstered Furniture

Résumé

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission ("Commission" or "CPSC") is proposing flammability standards for residential upholstered furniture under the Flammable Fabrics Act ("FFA"). The proposal would establish performance requirements and certification and labeling requirements for upholstered furniture. Manufacturers of upholstered furniture would choose one of two possible methods of compliance: They could use cover materials that are sufficiently smolder resistant to meet a cigarette ignition performance test; or they could place fire barriers that meet smoldering and open flame resistance tests between the cover fabric and interior filling materials. Manufacturers of upholstered furniture would be required to certify compliance with the standard and to comply with certain recordkeeping requirements as specified in the proposal.