A comprehensive European fire safety strategy needs to address the causes of fire, modern day fire risks and impact on fire toxicity.

​

Flammability standards need to combine objectives of effective fire safety,chemical safety and environmental objectives, ending the presumption that fire safety is best met by using flame retardants. Special attention should be given to the toxicity of fires caused by the presence of chemicals, as thisis a field of growing concern.

​

The promotion of a fire safety culture plays a key role in terms of education to consumers on tools (e.g. sprinklers and fire alarms) and behavioural changes that would increase fire safety and save lives.

​

The alliance for flame retardant free furniture proposes an EU approach using smoulder ignition tests instead of open flame tests that require the use of flame retardants. In this context, the Alliance for Flame Retardant Free Furniture welcomes the US law mandating nationwide compliance with California’s flammability standard for upholstered furniture. This approach takes into account the flammability requirements, chemical exposure and consumers’ protection to make safe fire safety possible.

With the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the European institutions and Member States have the perfect opportunity and framework for combining fire safety, chemical safety and circularity objectives, by linking a smoulder ignition test to the upcoming Regulation or implementing measures, introducing EN 1021/1 as a reference standard for compliance with flammability requirements, whenever these are in place at national level. This will not only reduce exposure to harmful chemicals but also boost the potential of the European furniture industries of transitioning to a more circular economy.