Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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188. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for clarification on matters in relation to the EU fire regulation standard which is accepted as the equivalent of I.S.419:1988 for importing of furniture from European countries (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53988/25]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is undertaking a review of the Irish Furniture Fire Regulations to ensure that Ireland's regulatory framework remains robust, effective, aligned with modern consumer safety practices and the EU Single Market. As part of this review, the Department ran a public consultation with two potential options to be considered:

1. To maintain the current Irish Furniture Fire Regulations, or

2. To repeal the Irish Furniture Fire Regulations and rely on the EU’s General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR).

The outcome of the public consultation and the next steps are currently being considered and a decision will be made in the near future.

By way of background, the Irish Furniture Fire Regulations were put in place in 1995 and were developed at a time when fire hazards associated with furniture materials were a significant concern. These regulations require domestic furniture to meet specific flammability standards, including resistance to ignition by cigarettes and match flames, primarily through the use of flame-retardant chemicals. The policy rationale was to reduce the risk of fatalities and injuries caused by fires starting in upholstered furniture, however, the scientific, regulatory and behavioural context has evolved, including the increased use in smoke alarms and changes in personal behaviour. Accordingly, questions have been raised about the balance between fire safety and chemical safety, particularly concerning the use of flame retardants.

My Department understands that most EU Member States address the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture through general product safety obligations rather than specific fire safety regulations. Under the GPSR framework, products such as furniture are expected to be designed and manufactured in such a way that does not pose foreseeable fire or chemical hazards to consumers. This model allows manufacturers to meet safety objectives without mandating the use of specific treatments such as chemical flame retardants. Instead, safety is assessed holistically, taking into account the product’s design, materials, and intended environment of use, as mandated by the GPSR.