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27. 05. 2021

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Fire reaction for upholstered furniture: classification in the U.S.A.

At the meeting of the 116th Congress of the United States of America, an act entitled "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021" was approved and published, which, in the part called "DIVISION FF-OTHER MATTER", contains the "Title XXI-COVID-19 Regulatory Relief and Work From Home Safety Act"  which attributes validity throughout the United States to the test methods described in the Californian standard "California Technical Bulletin 117:2013".


In short, the Californian standard "California Technical Bulletin 117:2013" has been adopted as federal law and therefore all upholstered furniture intended for indoor seating must comply with this standard in order to be marketed in the USA.

The effective date of this obligation has been set for June 25, 2021 (subject to possible change).


Official documentation.
At the beginning of April, the CPSC - CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION  published in the Federal Register the "16 CFR Part 1640", which implements "Title XXI-COVID-19 Regulatory Relief and Work From Home Safety Act".

Visit the official reference site:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/04/09/2021-06977/standard-for-the-flammability-of-upholstered-furniture

Get further information by clicking here:
https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Upholstered-Furniture


The following are the main points of "16 CFR Part 1640":

The test methods for the classification of upholstered furniture intended for seating are those described in California Technical Bulletin 117:2013.

The effective date of the classification requirement has been set for June 25, 2021 (subject to change).

A compliance label is required that declare: "Complies with U.S. CPSC requirements for upholstered furniture flammability". The effective date of the labelling requirement has been set for June 25, 2022 (subject to possible change).

Applies to all upholstered furniture intended for indoor use.
Exemtpions are the following:
- mattresses;
- bed bases;
- bedding product;
- furniture for physical activity.

It applies to upholstered furniture used both in homes and in "places of assembly" (theatres, cinemas, churches, ....) and "public accommodations" (restaurants, hotels, museums, ......).


For information:
Daniele Barbiero
+ 39 0432 747256
barbiero@catas.com

Luigino Cavassi
+39 0432 747237
cavassi@catas.com

Leonardo Pertoldi
+39 0432 747240
pertoldi@catas.com